IDF firefighting unit conducts rescue, firefighting drill

The Israel Defense Force’s (IDF) firefighting unit has conducted a five-day exercise, intended to prepare its soldiers to better confront emergency scenarios.

The firefighting unit of the Home Front Command’s Central District conducted sessions for technical and theoretical information followed by a basic drill on the first day of the exercise.

During the drill conducted in the city of Kfar Saba, the crew lifted overturned truck, as a result of car accident and pulled people trapped under it.

The exercise also involved scenarios such as forest fires at two different points.

IDF has quoted the unit’s commander Captain (res.) Dan Yosefsberg as saying that the soldiers also practiced fire combating and demonstrated their ability to control and neutralise fire with the pump.

The exercise, aimed to prepare for fires and other natural disasters has been conducted in the wake of the forest fire that occurred on Mount Carmel in 2010.

Yosefsberg said, "Following the disaster [the Mount Carmel fire], a personal protective shield was purchased to protect the firefighters."

The drill involved essential change in the level of training and the techniques of training.