Villanueva de la Fuente regulates its Civil Protection volunteers

The City Council of Villanueva de la Fuente has made public the final text of the Regulations for the Organization and Operation of the Municipal Civil Protection Volunteer Group, as no claims were submitted during the public exhibition period. The regulation, initially approved by the Plenary in the ordinary session of June 12, 2026, is thus automatically elevated to final status and is published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Ciudad Real number 167, dated September 1, 2026, in compliance with article 70.2 of Law 7/1985, of April 2, Regulating the Bases of the Local Regime.

The regulations, signed by the mayor-president Luis Mendoza Salinas on August 27, 2026, are structured into four chapters and one final provision, and update the legal framework of a “so sensitive” matter in light of the experience acquired, establishing processes of gradual homogenization and legitimation. Its entry into force will occur the day following the publication of the agreement in the provincial gazette.

Legal Framework and Scope of Action

The regulation is based on the exclusive competence of the State in public safety (article 149.1.29 of the Spanish Constitution) and article 30.4, which allows for the regulation by law of the duties of citizens in the face of grave risk, catastrophe, or public calamity. It cites as references Law 17/2015, of July 9, of the National Civil Protection System; Law 45/2015, of October 14, on Volunteering; Law 4/1995, of March 16, on Volunteering in Castilla-La Mancha, and Decree 37/2016, of July 27, which regulates the accreditation of groups and the regional registry.

The territorial scope of action shall be the municipal district of Villanueva de la Fuente, although it may be expanded through supra-municipal agreements, by determination of an emergency plan, or when intervention is requested by another municipality with the authorization of the mayor. The groups collaborate in the preparation of civil protection plans, preventive measures, risk studies, awareness campaigns, and support for emergency services, as well as in traffic regulation during recreational-festive and sporting events.

Requirements, Rights, and Duties of Volunteers

Natural persons who commit themselves freely, gratuitously, and in a spirit of solidarity may join, without this creating an employment or civil service relationship with the City Council. Access requirements include:

• Be at least 18 years old; between 16 and 18, with the consent of parents or guardians.
• Have no non-expunged criminal records for crimes of domestic or gender-based violence, crimes against life, liberty or sexual integrity, illegal trafficking, or terrorism.
• Provide a negative certificate from the Central Registry of Convicts when there is habitual contact with minors.
• Not belong to more than one group simultaneously.

Volunteers are entitled to training, information, accident and civil liability insurance, reimbursement of expenses, and recognition of their work, and are obliged to maintain discretion, refuse remuneration, follow the group’s instructions, and preserve the assigned material.

Sanctioning Regime

Chapter four classifies offenses as minor, serious, and very serious. Minor offenses are sanctioned with a warning or suspension of up to one month; serious offenses, with suspension between one and three months; and very serious offenses, which include disobedience during an emergency, aggression, or misuse of volunteer status, entail permanent expulsion from the group. The procedure is initiated and resolved by a resolution of the Mayor’s Office, after hearing from the interested party.

The publication of these regulations provides legal certainty to emergency management and local volunteering by clearly establishing the organization, rights, and obligations of those collaborating in the protection of people and property in the municipality. An administrative appeal may be filed against the agreement before the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha within two months of its publication.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Ciudad Real, number 167, September 1, 2026, Local Administration section (City Councils), pp. 7986-7994 (announcement number 2803).