Exercise in National Defense. Abir Sultan, IDF Spokesperson

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A new unit, belonging to the Homefront command, was established this year, responsible for providing on-site assitance for civilians during emergeny situations. The liaison unit will oversee the allocation of food and medicine to shelters, aid in the evacuation of civilians and provide entertainment to children.  Senior commanders will provide assistance to civilians in weaker municipalities.

In addition, a large number of reservists have signed up for training on the Homefront Command training base in order to assist civilians during emergencies.  The reservists are being recruited as part of the plans for the coming year which will be known as the ‘year of civilian self-protection’.  In addition, the command will begin a new publicity campaign, instructing civilians to prepare for emergencies.  As part of the campaign, pamphlets translated in six languages will be sent to every Israeli household. “Emergency situations in general and war in particular, are likely to occur without adequate awareness and preparation”, says one of the guides.  “Therefore there is no time better than the present to plan for such occurrences.”  In addition to pamphlets, radio and television transmissions will be broadcast instructing civilians on how to locate the proper safe area in their area and will inform civilians about the command and the various ways the command can assist them.

A few months ago, GOC of the Homefront Command, Major General Yitzhak “Jerry” Gershon, outlined that the main mistake which caused the Command to operate less than efficiently during the Second Lebanon War.  According to the general, during the war the command was forced to conduct missions originally assigned to the Command upon its creation 15 years ago.  “The goal then was for the Command to be responsible for aiding in all unconventional incidents that occurred in the perimeter,” he explained.  “In place of a Civil Defense Force, we became a part of the military force, and with the passing of years our ability to assist civilians was cut dramatically.  Following the war that was all changed and our resources will now be allocated to assisting civilians on the Homefront.”