Over here, FEMA works on natural disasters while the terrorists are considered a secondary worry. Over there, The terrorists and war are the primary concerns while the century earthquakes are something to plan for while assuming that buildings strong enough to withstand a natural disaster. The major worry is the older buildings that will collapse.
I teach disaster preparation. I wonder if the Israelis need any more trainers? I would not mind getting a tan while I teach. Honest! I work cheap, too.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1227702344604&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
'The state will not be able to come and save you. In the event of a massive natural disaster or an attack, you must assume that you and your family will be on your own for up to 72 hours. I repeat: No one will come to rescue you." Are we really prepared for a...Are we really prepared for a disaster?
Photo: Ariel JerozolimskiThis is not the mayor of New Orleans speaking before Hurricane Gustav or the governor of Texas before Ike. It is Amnon Ilani, deputy director of the Security and Emergency Department in the Jerusalem Municipality. His words are intended as a wake-up call for the citizens of Jerusalem to be prepared.
This area has been prone to major earthquakes approximately every 100 years. The last "big one" rattled the Holy City in 1927, and no one is pretending that the next one is not on the way.
In addition, we are facing critical times with respect to Israeli security. "The home front will be the main front of the [next] war, whether it is missiles from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria or Iran," deputy defense minister Matan Vilna'i told The Jerusalem Post in October.
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Vilna'i takes this threat so seriously that he recently announced that he is setting up a special security school in the Tel Aviv area to train mayors and regional and local council heads how to manage in the event of a war. In accordance with a plan drawn up by the National Emergency Administration (a newly created agency set up to coordinate the various emergency services), by the end of this year every municipality and council will have to have drafted and approved an emergency plan for their community during wartime.
