The Guardia Civil exercises exhaustive control over the City of Tarragona Fireworks Competition. As the competent authority in pyrotechnics, the police force ensures safety throughout the event, which takes place this week from Wednesday to Saturday.
Five agents are responsible for supervision: two conduct checks during the morning setup, and three more join in the afternoon/evening to monitor the exhibition. Once the pyrotechnic display concludes, they re-verify that all material has been consumed correctly, as highlighted by the head of Intervention of the Guardia Civil in Tarragona, Raquel Batuecas.
The agents arrive at the Fortí de la Reina, the site from which the pyrotechnic devices are launched, around eight-thirty in the morning. The company performing each night, such as Pirotecnia Alto Palancia from Castellón, prepares its material while remnants of the previous night's show are still pending collection. This company, founded in 2024, boasts an experienced team with awards from competitions in Elche, Alicante, and Vitoria.
The Guardia Civil verifies the participants' documentation, ensuring they hold expert or apprentice licenses for pyrotechnic handling, and prepares a report for the Government Sub-delegation. They also confirm that the previously submitted information regarding the type of pyrotechnics, calibers, and distribution aligns with the actual execution.
Companies must submit a plan a few days prior detailing the distribution of charges at the Fortí de la Reina to guarantee compliance with safety measures. Regulations stipulate minimum distances from the public and buildings based on the caliber of the devices, with larger ones requiring at least 250 meters from spectators and over 150 meters from buildings.
Both the setup and the exhibition carry risks. Captain Batuecas points out potential issues such as a casing falling or a rocket being directed towards the audience. The possibility of flames causing small fires in the area's vegetation is also considered, although it is infrequent.
Special attention is paid to ensuring the complete consumption of gunpowder. Fifteen minutes after the exhibition ends, three agents conduct this check. If any material remains unconsumed, it must be burned immediately to prevent subsequent handling hazards.
