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Communities around Volcán Poás will be trained in volcano safety

 

  • Actions are part of an integrated risk management strategy to create conditions that allow for visitor safety, the first of its kind in the country.
  •  The talks are being held jointly between MINAE, ICT, the Emergency Commission, OVISCORI and RSN:UCR-ICE.

With a new security model coming into effect once the Volcán Poás National Park re-opens, a training event was held on Wednesday, July 31 for 70 people from the communities around the volcano, as well as the municipal authorities and Municipal Emergency Committees.

The activity, held in Poasito, was the result of joint action between MINAE, ICT, CNE, OVISCORI and RSN:UCR-ICE.

Experts explained why the volcano had been closed off and the safety measures required in order to authorize the re-opening of the park.

Furthermore, participants were given an updated overview of the volcano situation and the different scenarios that the volcanic activity could cause.

They also delved into the construction of the 5 shelters for visitor protection and the process of acquiring 4 real-time gas measurement sensors, which will be able to detect high levels of sulfuric acid and other gases that are potentially harmful to humans.

The talk touched on the process of meeting certain requirements, including the purchase of masks and helmets, the reconstruction of trails, the posting of safety signs and training given to employees of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

Earlier, the Technical Assessment Committee (CAT) for Vulcanology and Seismology of the National Committee for Risk Prevention and Emergency Assistance (CNE) carried out a visit to the protected area to monitor the implementation of safety measures that must be carried out for the re-opening of the park.

When it is re-opened, visits to Volcán Poás will be carried out with guides and in a staggered manner. Furthermore, entrance to the crater’s lookout will be limited to 50 people on 20-minute intervals.

The chief of the Department of Research and Prevention of the CNE, Lidier Esquivel, noted, “this is the first time that risk management activities have been carried out to create the conditions to guarantee the safety of local and international visitors and park rangers”.

“We have been working jointly to meet the directive of the President of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado, to open the Poás Volcano as soon as possible. As a result, we are leading a process with strategic allies, including the Casa Presidencial, MINAE, SINAC and non-governmental organizations like Costa Rica por Siempre and FUNDECOR, the Poás Chamber of Tourism, Coopetransasi, and the Integrated Development Associations of Fraijanes and Poasito towards a re-opening that is safe for everyone”, concluded the Vice-Minister of the Environment, Pamela Castillo.