Three new vehicles and a state-of-the-art drone for Orihuela police

The Orihuela City Council has announced the addition of new resources to the Local Police force in order to enhance its operational capacity and enhance its response to emergency situations, particularly in rural areas and difficult-to-reach locations. Mayor Pepe Vegara of Orihuela, Councillor Mónica Pastor of Citizen Security, Councillor Víctor Valverde of Civil Protection and Emergencies, and Chief Rubén Selma of the Local Police spearheaded the occasion. The Valencian Regional Government’s mobile emergency awareness programme was presented in Orihuela, and the Regional Minister for Emergencies and the Interior, Juan Carlos Valderrama, and the Director General of Innovation in Emergencies, Miriam Gil Pascual, were also present.

In particular, the Local Police have acquired three new all-terrain vehicles through a leasing agreement. These vehicles will be utilised to enhance the service in rural areas of the municipality and along the coast. These vehicles are equipped with sophisticated capabilities, including a crane, which enables them to operate in difficult-to-reach locations.

The force’s surveillance and coordination capabilities have been enhanced by the addition of a state-of-the-art drone, which will enhance security measures at events, traffic accident reconstruction, and emergency or disaster intervention.

Pepe Vegara, the mayor of Orihuela, underscored the importance of “prevention” in order to effectively address emergency situations. He also noted that the addition of these resources will enhance the performance of the local police. He emphasised the significance of having sufficient resources to respond promptly and effectively in intricate situations, citing the 2024 DANA tempest in Valencia as an example.

Vegara clarified that two of the vehicles are intended for Orihuela Costa and outlying districts, while the other is being prepared for the prospective canine unit.

Mónica Pastor, the Councillor for Citizen Security, emphasised that this addition “demonstrates this government team’s firm commitment to the safety of the municipality, not only through intervention, but also through prevention,” emphasising the significance of having sufficient resources in a municipality at risk of flooding.

Rubén Selma, the Chief of the Local Police, emphasised the practicality of these vehicles in real-world scenarios, such as the 2024 DANA storm in Valencia, where officers from Orihuela volunteered their time to provide assistance to the afflicted municipalities. Selma emphasised the importance of this type of equipment in emergency situations, stating, “These vehicles enabled us to access areas that were previously inaccessible, and we were able to remove vehicles and clear streets thanks to equipment like the winch.”

Additionally, he recalled the appreciation that the municipality of Orihuela received from the residents of the affected communities, who even offered to cover the fuel costs for the vehicles as a gesture of their appreciation. “In order to be effective in emergencies, it is imperative that we are prepared for the worst-case scenarios. This allocation of resources is essential for the ability to act when it is needed,” he concluded.