In the event of a volcanic eruption in Öræfajökull the aim is to have evacuated the area before an eruption starts. If an eruption starts without any warning the following emergency procedures will be followed.
Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management:
- Ensures that the 112 call centre sends the following text messages to cell phones in the area between Lómagnúpur and Jökulsárlón.
Emergency message from the Police. Volcanic eruption is imminent in Öræfajökull. Evacuate to Svínafell I, Hof I or Hnappavellir II, Höfn or Kirkubæjarklaustur depending on your location.
- Activate the National Crisis Coordination Centre
Police in South Iceland:
- Sends a police cruiser from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell to assist with evacuations.
• Sends a police cruiser from Höfn to Kvísker to assist with evacuations.
• Sends all available resources to assist with the evacuations.
Volunteer rescue teams:
- ICE-SAR Kyndill at Kirkjubæjarklaustur sets up a roadblock at Lómagnúpur and assists with evacuations.
• ICE-SAR Hornafjörður sets up a roadblock at Jökulsárlón and assists with evacuations.
• ICE-SAR Kári does not have any tasks in this emergency plan.
Ambulances:
- Ambulance from Kirkjubæjarklaustur is stand-by at Hótel Núpar.
- Ambulance from Höfn is stand-by at Hrollaugsstaðir.
Red Cross:
- The chapter at Kirkjubæjarklaustur opens up a mass care centre at Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
- The chapter at Höfn opens up a mass care centre at Höfn
- Opening up mass care centres nearer to the evacuation areas will be considered.
Fire brigades:
- Are stand-by to assist in mass care centres.
- Are stand-by to assist with evacuations.
On scene command:
- On scene command at Kirkjubæjarklaustur activated.
- On scene command at Höfn activated.
- On scene command in Öræfasveit activated, location based on conditions.
Area command
- At Dynskálar 34, Hella.
National Crisis Coordination Centre:
- Rescue Centre Skógarhlíð, Skógarhlíð 14, Reykjavík.
Instructions for people who are within the evacuation area in the case of an evacuation
- Take the quickest route to:
o Svínafell I
o Hof I
o Hnappavellir II
o Wait in your car for further instructions
o If volcanic ash / volcanic tephra starts falling you should seek shelter in the nearest building
o Follow further instructions when they are issued
