Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta is gearing up for the upcoming Holy Week 2024, with a detailed operations plan to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors during this peak holiday period. The coordination meeting, led by Gerardo Alonzo Castillón Andrade, director of Civil Protection and Municipal Firefighters, and representing the interim mayor Francisco José Martínez Gil, outlined the strategic approach for the Semana Santa and Easter celebrations.
The plan, presented by Commander César Zamora Olivera, deputy director of Civil Protection, encompasses extensive preparations to cover recreational and religious activities throughout the municipality. An array of personnel, vehicles, and equipment will be strategically deployed across the city to provide timely and effective responses to any risk situations. The focus will extend from the northern and southern highway entrances, Highway 544, mountain areas, to the beaches, and includes special attention to forest fire risks in mountainous regions during the dry season.
The operational strategy is scheduled to commence from Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, April 7, with particular emphasis on the days from March 28 to 31, anticipated to be the peak visitor period. The plan includes assigning personnel to oversee the traditional “Via Crucis” processions and activities in various churches and delegations.
A Command Port and Emergency Operations Center will be established at the Central Firefighters Base to facilitate inter-institutional coordination among the various agencies and entities involved. The operational team will comprise 76 elements, covering areas such as operational, risk management, water rescue, and pre-hospital services, supported by 23 units positioned at strategic city points.
Additionally, lifeguard personnel will patrol the beaches from Boca de Tomates to Boca de Tomatlán, focusing on preventing accidents, offering pre-hospital care, monitoring for lost minors, and ensuring event security. Coordination with Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, and the State Unit of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Jalisco (UEPCBJ) will enhance emergency response capabilities.
The Citizen Security, Traffic and Roads Department, under director Rigoberto Flores Parra, will mobilize its full strength, operating in 12-hour shifts to bolster surveillance and safety measures. The initiative will be supported by the 12th Naval Zone and 41st Military Zone, working in conjunction with municipal authorities.
The Directorate of Inspection and Regulations has also prepared an operational plan to enhance surveillance and responsiveness during the holiday period. Meanwhile, José Ascención Gil Calleja, director of Municipal Public Services, has confirmed the readiness of approximately 500 workers to maintain and reinforce public services, including cleanliness, public hygiene, lighting, and the maintenance of parks and gardens.
The Red Cross and Green Angels are on standby to address any emergencies that may arise on the roads or within the city limits, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for all during the Holy Week and Easter festivities.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta is gearing up for the upcoming Holy Week 2024, with a detailed operations plan to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors during this peak holiday period. The coordination meeting, led by Gerardo Alonzo Castillón Andrade, director of Civil Protection and Municipal Firefighters, and representing the interim mayor Francisco José Martínez Gil, outlined the strategic approach for the Semana Santa and Easter celebrations.