Innovaciones tecnológicas en la comunicación del riesgo: el ejemplo de Gran Canaria (Islas Canarias, España) en la implementación del sistema es-alert en la gestión de emergencias

Abstract

The ES-Alert system, implemented in the Canary lslands, constitutes a significant innovation in risk comrnunication and emergency rnanagernent. This study aims to assess its deployment on the island of Gran Canaria following the sirnulation exercise conducted on Septernber 26, 2024, by the E111ergency and Security Coordination Center 112 of the Governrnent of the Canary lslands. Additionally, the study evaluates aspects related to risk perception among the population. The effectiveness of the syste111 was analysed based on mass messaging sent by the authorities to the entire population of Gran Canaria. A non-probabilistic convenience sarnpling approach was employed, targeting students, faculty, and adrninistrative staff at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The survey examined key aspects such as message clarity, perceived usefulness, and impact on decision-making. Findings indicate a high level of acceptance of the system, with 87% of participants considering it useful in real emergency situations. However, 31% identified areas far improvement in rnessage clarity, and 42% reported that their response capability would depend on the type of ernergency. These results underscore the importance of precisely defining ernergency messages while effectively capturing public attention to elicit appropriate responses. Furthermore, the findings highlight the necessity of enhancing public training and awareness to facilitate irnmediate and inforrned decision-making in different emergency scenarios. The study also emphasizes the crucial role of communication technologies and geographic information systems in modernizing emergency rnanagement. Overall, ES-Alert has been found to optimize early warning dissemination and significantly improve decision-making processes, establishing itself as a key tool far enhancing community resilience in island contexts.