Israel Dispatching Firefighters to Combat Blazes in California
27 August, 2020 |
5 years ago
Jerusalem, 27 August, 2020 (TPS-IL) -- Israel’s Fire and Rescue Commissioner Dedi Simchi, has ordered the Fire Department’s Operations Division to prepare for the deployment of a delegation of firefighters to California, which is dealing with massive blazes that have consumed more than one million acres (four million dunams) in one of the state’s worst fire seasons in recent history.
At least seven people have died in the fires and over 1,200 buildings were gutted by the flames in the past 11 days.
More than 15,000 firefighters are already combating the blazes.
In accordance with the instructions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Internal Security Amir Ohana, the delegation includes officers and firefighters who are experts in the fields of rescue and forest fires.
The delegation is expected to leave on Sunday after receiving the required permits.
In the last two years, Israeli firefighters have operated in Brazil and Ethiopia while taking an active part in efforts to take control of huge fires and rescue victims.
“Israeli firefighters were praised for their operational and professional activities and have become a significant element in Israel’s diplomatic toolbox,” the Fire Department stated.
