The 'València + Segura' plan, promoted by the València City Council, now reaches Xirivella through a collaboration agreement signed by its mayor, María José Catalá, and the mayor of Xirivella, Paqui Bartual. This institutional agreement aims to strengthen the metropolitan area's urban resilience through citizen training in emergency situations.
This is the first municipality in the metropolitan area to join this program, with more populations expected to sign up soon to benefit from València's accumulated experience. The València council will provide Xirivella with access to its know-how, methodology, and educational materials, including didactic guides, audiovisual and graphic support, and advisory services.
The 'València + Segura' plan, a pioneering initiative born from the alliance between the València City Council and the University of València, aims to prepare citizens to respond effectively to emergencies and catastrophes. Mayor Catalá highlighted that over 41,000 people in València have already received specific training, including trainers, teachers, and vulnerable groups, in addition to an information program conducted in neighborhood tents.
The mayor of Xirivella emphasized the importance of citizen training, stating that 'when citizens are trained, lives are saved.' She affirmed that her municipality will train all neighborhoods, including the elderly and children, to be prepared for future floods or other events.
María José Catalá argued that 'emergencies do not understand administrative borders' and that the agreement 'extends the network of resilience and good practices to other surrounding municipalities.' The agreement will be valid for four years and includes the creation of a monitoring commission.
The plan, officially implemented on September 1, 2025, was designed as a consequence of the recovery commissions following the DANA of 2024. It is structured around four training axes: practical training in neighborhoods, school activities, development of a family emergency kit, and understanding official alerts.
