Barak authorizes nationwide emergency drill

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Defense establishment, government and cabinet all to participate in exercise simulating crisis situation as part of upcoming national emergency drill to be held in April. Drill part of implementation of lessons from Second Lebanon War
Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized on Sunday evening the plans for a national emergency drill, which is scheduled to take place in two weeks time.

The exercise, which will be led by Barak's deputy Matan Vilnai, was conceived as part of the lessons learned following the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and will incorporate all government offices and public bodies.

The drill will simulate a series of emergency situations and require those participating – ranging from local municipalities, schools, firefighters and paramedics, the IDF Home Front Command and even the cabinet itself – to respond to the developing events.

The Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv took part in a drill simulating a chemical missile attack several days ago.

Both Home Front Command and Health Ministry officials stressed the importance of preparing for any possible scenario.