The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, formally recognised the IV Battalion of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) on Tuesday. They awarded the Zaragoza-based unit a medal during the annual Squads Day celebration. This honour acknowledges the UME's continuous collaboration with Catalan police in emergency situations, including recent wildfires and the critical containment of African swine fever in Barcelona.
Lieutenant Colonel Joaquín Núñez Regodón, head of the IV Battalion, accepted the medal from Commissioner Miquel Esquius, the highest-ranking officer of the Mossos d'Esquadra. The UME's deployment in the Barcelona region concluded in February after more than two months of intensive work. Their specialists in hunting control joined forces with the Agentes Rurales, Catalonia's rural agents, to curb the virus's spread.
The African swine fever virus was initially detected in the Collserola mountain range, a significant natural park bordering Barcelona. The UME's ground operations focused on locating wild boars using patrols and drones. They collected blood samples to determine infection levels.
Containing the Collserola Outbreak
These samples were crucial for understanding the outbreak's extent. The virus posed a severe threat to Spain's €8.8 billion annual pork export industry. China had previously blocked pork imports originating from the province of Barcelona, highlighting the economic stakes. Under Lieutenant Colonel Núñez's command, the UME formed part of the task force that successfully halted the virus's expansion.
Their work also involved collecting and transporting deceased animals in specialised mortuary bags. This task was fundamental in preventing further spread, as parasites like ticks abandon dead bodies, seeking new hosts and potentially transmitting the disease. During daylight hours, teams concentrated on finding dead wild boars. At night, they used thermal cameras and infrared drones to track moving animals.
The command centre for these operations was established at the Agentes Rurales headquarters in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, a municipality north of Barcelona. Núria Parlon, Catalonia's Interior Councillor, also publicly recognised the UME's support during these critical moments.
Wider Emergency Response
Beyond the swine fever crisis, the IV Battalion also deployed to southern Tarragona in August to combat wildfires. These fires devastated over 3,300 hectares of land. The UME joined the Bombers, Catalonia's firefighters, at the request of the Generalitat, Catalonia's regional government. This intervention was prompted by forecasts of strong winds, which threatened to accelerate the flames' propagation.
Lieutenant Colonel Núñez informed ABC at the time that 240 personnel were on the ground during the Tarragona wildfires. They utilised 74 vehicles and equipment, including drones and fire engines. This extensive support proved vital in controlling the large-scale blaze.
Inter-Agency Cooperation
The Mossos d'Esquadra's Squads Day celebration also saw other significant recognitions. They honoured Manuel Rodríguez Jiménez, the head of the National Police in Catalonia. Additionally, Manuel Llamas Fernández, the operational deputy director of the Civil Guard, received an award. These accolades underscore the importance of inter-agency cooperation in managing major emergencies and ensuring public safety across Catalonia.
Such collaborative efforts are essential for Barcelona and Catalonia. They protect residents, safeguard vital economic sectors like agriculture, and preserve natural environments like the Collserola mountain range from disease and disaster. The continued partnership between different emergency and security forces remains a cornerstone of effective crisis management.
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Originally published by ABC Cataluña. Read original article.
