The different State Security Forces and Corps, as well as emergency personnel and volunteers, will be part of the device that has been designed to guarantee the safety of the thousands of people who will travel to the town of Mancha Blanca next Saturday, September 14, on the occasion of the pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen de Los Dolores.
According to the Cabildo, it is expected that more than a hundred troops, including agents of the Civil Guard, Canarian Police, Local Police of practically all the municipalities, in addition to numerous troops from different NGOs and Civil Protection from all over the island, will participate in this "broad and coordinated" device.
According to the Self-Protection Plan for the Pilgrimage to Los Dolores, prepared by the Security and Emergency Consortium of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, which is chaired by Councilor Francisco Javier Aparicio, an Advanced Command Post will be installed to attend to any eventuality that may occur.
Ambulances, security cameras drones
Also, 14 security cameras will be installed in the surroundings of the church of Los Dolores and in Mancha Blanca, and several drones will be operational to guarantee security, in addition to a large sanitary deployment with ambulances and medical personnel.
"This year, as a novelty, several ambulances will also be operational in the areas of the Farmer's Monument, Tinguatón and in the Las Cadenas area in La Vegueta in the event of any emergency," Francisco Javier Aparicio advanced.
Roads affected by traffic cuts
The Self-Protection Plan also details the restrictions and traffic cuts that will affect the island's roads on the occasion of the massive pilgrimage.
In this sense, Aparicio stressed that "this year it has been decided to allocate a loading and unloading lane on the LZ-2, at the height between the Farmer's Monument and the Mozaga roundabout, to guarantee the safety of those vehicles that access this road to drop off pilgrims".
One of the island roads that will be affected by the cuts will be the LZ-20, where traffic will run in a single direction Arrecife-Tinajo from 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours on September 14. Traffic will remain open to traffic in both directions, reducing the maximum speed allowed to 60 kilometers per hour from 08:00 hours on the 14th to 08:00 hours on September 15.
On the LZ-30 Teguise-Uga, traffic will remain closed to traffic except for security and emergency vehicles from 09:00 hours to 13:00 hours on September 14; and on the LZ-46 Tiagua-Mancha Blanca, the LZ-56 Mancha Blanca-La Geria, the LZ-50 Masdache-La Vegueta and the LZ-409 Mozaga?La Vegueta, traffic will remain closed to traffic except for security and emergency vehicles from 08:00 hours on the 14th to 08:00 hours on September 15.
Finally, regarding the LZ-67 La Santa?Yaiza, traffic will remain closed to traffic except for security and emergency vehicles from 15:00 hours to 00:00 hours on September 14.
From the Consortium they will also launch a computer application, an app, which will allow users, from any mobile device, tablet or computer and quickly and easily, see the recommended routes for pilgrims municipality by municipality, public transport, road closures by days, as well as the special services that are launched, especially on the day of the pilgrimage.
Recommendations
The president of the Consortium, Francisco Javier Aparicio, has also emphasized that some leaflets have been designed, which will be published on the Cabildo's website and through social networks, with recommendations aimed at the population, and especially pilgrims, to enjoy a day of pilgrimage without incidents,
Among them, before starting the tour and during it, it is advisable to plan it in advance, use appropriate footwear, carry a small first-aid kit, maximum hydration and drink during the tour, carry lighting and be seen, follow the instructions of the authorities, State Security Forces, Local Police, Civil Protection volunteers, etcetera, and notify 112 in case of any emergency.
