A joint exercise between teams from the region's security forces took place at Kibbutz Gesher recently to train for a proper first response in times of crisis until the arrival of search and rescue forces. Limited access and rough terrain after an earthquake mean that rescue teams may take some time to arrive.
The exercise is part of the Regional Disaster Management (RegDis) Project, a collaboration between BGU's PREPARED Center for Emergency Response Research, Magen David Adom (MDA), the Jordanian Red Crescent and the Palestinian NGO Greenland Association.
Local emergency teams of 15 volunteers were formed in various communities in Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel. During the current exercise, the teams underwent a 100-hour course on subjects such as needs assessment, first aid, shelter, hygiene promotion, psycho-social support, search and rescue, firefighting and community resilience.
The teams will be scattered along the Jordan River bank in Israel’s Emek Hama’ayanot region, Hevel Eilot region and Kuseife, a Bedouin town. Similar training took place simultaneously in Palestinian and Jordanian communities. First-response teams throughout the region will also be prepared to assist one another during an emergency.
After the exercise, a ceremony attended by the president of the Jordanian Red Crescent, a senior representative of BGU and the head of the Emek Hama’ayanot Regional Council was held.
Prof. Limor Aharonson-Daniel, BGU’s Deputy Rector for International Academic Relations and Director of the PREPARED Center for Emergency Response Research, who leads the project, said: “The project is funded by the EU’s Peace Partnership and has granted us the opportunity to once again promote lifesaving activities together. The collaboration, which began with training the first Jordanian paramedics a decade ago, continues with the establishment of local emergency-response teams over the past three years. In the future we aim to establish a master’s program in emergency response and crisis management. Above all, the project has sparked personal relationships and friendships that prove that regional collaboration is indeed possible.”
Above: Members of the strategic decision making forum before the start of the exercise.
Above: Local volunteers with the project's leaders
