Crisis exercise in the framework of coastal geohazards: Experience in the Balearic islands (Spain)

Within an international cooperation network (France, Spain and Portugal) involving researchers, first responders and civil protection authorities, a crisis exercise was held simultaneously in Mallorca and Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Spain). The objectives were to test crisis management procedures defined by operational actors, integrating new developed scientific tools related to landslides and rockfalls, as well as the internal relationship with the new created Technical Advisory Committee. The initiative included a training module for all stakeholders before the exercise explaining the scientific tools used for supporting the decision-making process during the exercise, as well as a field trip in the Tramuntana range in Mallorca to gain first-hand knowledge of the geological hazards threatening the region, mainly rockfalls. More than 70 people were involved in the training exercise, including researchers, civil protection, civil guard, municipalities, representants of the autonomous regions, local and regional crisis management managers from different French and Spanish entities, etc. At the end of the exercise, a joint analysis was made of the strengths and weaknesses found during the development of the exercise and propositions of improvements were made. Local and regional authorities concluded that, thanks to the exercise, they are better prepared to deal with georisks induced by extreme weather, mainly landslides and rockfalls. The scientific community understood the type of operational products they should develop for decision support during disaster risk crises. This experience emphasizes the need to create stronger links between the scientific community and civil protection stakeholders.