The street celebrations of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival officially get underway tonight, with the city deploying an extensive safety and emergency response operation designed to manage the large crowds expected in the capital.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has strengthened its emergency personnel presence across the streets, coordinating all services from a centralised operational hub described as a “small city” covering nearly 5,000 square metres of public space.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez, alongside Councillor for Safety Gladis de León and Councillor for Festivals Javier Caraballero, presented the coordination plan that will remain active throughout all Carnival events held on the city’s streets.
According to Bermúdez, the Carnival’s security model has become “a benchmark for other Spanish cities hosting large-scale events,” highlighting the integration of all services within what is known as the Carnival Hospital, the central command and response structure for the festivities.
Technology and personnel at the core of the operation
City officials stressed that recent years have seen significant improvements in both technological resources and specialised staffing. The incorporation of enhanced video surveillance systems, combined with an increased number of trained emergency personnel, has strengthened the city’s capacity to respond rapidly to incidents.
This year, surveillance capabilities have been expanded further. A total of 28 security cameras are positioned at strategic locations across the Carnival area, with five actively monitored in real time. The footage is transmitted to a secure control room located inside the Advanced Command Post.
In addition, aerial monitoring using drones will support crowd control efforts. These devices are operated jointly by units of the Local Police and the National Police, allowing authorities to oversee large gatherings from above and react swiftly if necessary.
All information is channelled through the centralised command centre, enabling immediate deployment of on-foot police units and emergency teams should any incident occur.
The “Carnival Hospital”: a 5,000 m² emergency hub
At the heart of the operation lies the so-called Carnival Hospital, located in Plaza General Gutiérrez Mellado, behind the headquarters of the Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands.
This temporary infrastructure spans almost 5,000 square metres and includes approximately 30 modular units. Within this space, healthcare services, psychosocial support teams, security coordination units and assistance resources for minors are all concentrated in one location.
The facility also incorporates the Punto Violeta, a dedicated space aimed at providing support and protection against gender-based violence, reinforcing the city’s commitment to safe and inclusive celebrations.
A coordinated response for one of Spain’s largest street festivals
With thousands of revellers expected to fill the streets, the Carnival’s security and emergency plan is designed to ensure that celebrations unfold smoothly while maintaining rapid-response capability at all times.
Authorities emphasise that the combination of on-the-ground personnel, advanced technology and centralised coordination allows Santa Cruz to manage one of Spain’s most popular and densely attended street festivals with heightened levels of preparedness.
As the music, costumes and festivities begin, the city’s extensive safety framework will operate continuously to safeguard residents and visitors alike.
