Israel Gets Ready for Earthquakes

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

The Israel Aerospace Industries rescue unit recently conducted a large-scale earthquake drill, including 80 unit volunteers, fire fighting teams, paramedics and IDF soldiers.

The scenario had the participants face collapsing buildings, rescuing people trapped inside and evacuating them, clearing debris with heavy machinery and using special defensive equipment.

IHLS – Israel Homeland Security

The rescue unit, basically a smaller version of a Home Front Command battalion, includes a commander, lieutenant, engineering division, heavy machinery operators, logistics staff and a main force comprised of three rescue divisions of 25 people each.

Jacob Goldman, VP of Acquisitions and Logistics for IAI, created the unit. According to Goldman “the workers of a company are its most precious resource, to be protected during emergencies. IAI invests in earthquake readiness through strengthening buildings, training employees, running an advanced command center and creating an operational rescue unit.”

Photographs: IAI