- New direct communication tool to receive real-time weather and security alerts.
- The launch coincides with the celebration of the service's 28th anniversary and Canary Islands Day.
- It is a completely free and anonymous channel that guarantees user privacy.
- It includes regular self-protection advice and guidelines for action in risky situations.
The islands' emergency services are celebrating twice over. Coinciding with its 28th anniversary and the regional holiday, the CECOES 112 emergency coordination center has decided to modernize its services to be where everyone is these days: on their mobile phones . Starting this Friday, citizens can join its new WhatsApp broadcast channel, a tool designed to expedite the delivery of important alerts without unnecessary delays or delays.
Under the slogan '112 Canarias, now also in your chats', this digital initiative is not just a technological gimmick, but a direct and rapid communication strategy so that everyone in the archipelago knows what's happening in real time. It's a logical step after almost three decades of uninterrupted operation of the coordinating center, which began operating back in 1998 to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors.
What kind of information will be sent directly to our phones?
This isn't a group for chatting with other users, but rather a one-way channel where emergency experts will post what really matters. Among the regularly expected updates are warnings about adverse weather phenomena such as haze, heavy rain, or strong winds that could endanger people's safety. It's a way to have official information readily available without having to search for updates on external social media.
In addition to purely weather-related alerts, the channel will serve to disseminate self-protection guidelines and safety recommendations for accidents or critical situations. The main idea is for people to know how to react preventively, significantly improving the culture of civil protection across all the islands. Ultimately, it is a public service that adapts to the changing times so that no one is left behind when a major unforeseen event occurs.
Privacy guaranteed and a very simple registration process
One of the issues that most often concerns users is the handling of their personal data, but they've made it clear that registration is completely anonymous and free . Since it's a broadcast channel and not a conventional messaging group, your phone number won't be visible to other followers or the service administrators. It's a very secure way to stay informed without compromising your privacy at any time.
For those who aren't very tech-savvy, the process is straightforward and extremely intuitive . Simply click on the official link provided by the organization or scan the QR code shared on their social media profiles. Once inside the messaging app, just tap the "Follow" button, usually located in the top right corner of the screen. There's no need to register or download any additional software.
How to set up alerts so you don't miss anything
If you join the channel but leave it muted, you'll likely find out about events too late. For this reason, 112 Canarias strongly recommends activating the notification bell icon . This way, your device will emit a sound alert whenever relevant information is posted, ensuring the message arrives instantly and you can act quickly if the situation requires it.
This digital rollout, which reports directly to the Regional Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, complements the work the agency already carries out on other platforms such as Instagram and X. The center's director, Moisés Sánchez, emphasized that this channel was created to be much closer to the people , offering useful and clear information that fits perfectly in the palm of their hand, taking advantage of the application that almost everyone uses daily to talk to their family.
This new contact channel marks a significant milestone for an organization that has been responsible for the safety of the Canary Islands since the late 1990s. With a focus on prevention and immediate response, the official 112 channel has become an indispensable tool for staying informed about fires, weather alerts, and basic survival tips—all without technical complications and with the reliability that comes from an official regional government source.