Mutual Aid to Israel

[Guest]

Over the last few years, specifically in 2006 and 2008, volunteer firefighters from Rockland County and other areas of the USA have traveled to Israel to help their brother firefighters. While most of these trips were coordinated in "some fashion" with the govt of Israel, non where actually run by them. Since that time, Israel Fire & Rescue Services has realized that indeed they do need more active firefighters, especially in times of National Emergency. As result they formed an organization to recruit and train current active firefighters from the USA and other countries.

The international director of the organization will be in the USA starting this weekend and there is an informational seminar being hosted in Rockland County this Saturday evening, January 16th @ 7:30pm at the Rockland County Fire Training Center. There is no cost for this seminar or to join the program. Pre-registration would be appreciated.

If you have nay questions, visit the website listed in the bulletin. After that, feel free to email me Shlomo@HillcrestFD.org

Below is the official announcement:

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ROCKLAND COUNTY

FIRE TRAINING CENTER

TRAINING BULLETIN

January 4, 2010

Bulletin # 09-100

Volunteers Firefighters Needed In Israel

Can Israel Count on You During the Next Emergency?

In the past about twenty-five members of the Rockland County Fire Service volunteered to fight fires and handle other domestic emergencies during conflicts involving the State of Israel. This outreach was very much appreciated by the citizens of Israel and was very successful.

Building on this success Israel has reached out to us once again. While everyone hopes you will never be needed, they would like to formalize the relationship in the event you are. A program has been developed to train volunteers from throughout the United States that would be willing to go to Israel and assist them in their time of need. This commitment will involve a period of training in Israel, refresher training here in the United States, and actual deployment during an emergency.

If you are interested in helping there will be an informational seminar at the Rockland County Fire Training Center on Saturday, January 16th, at 7:30 PM. Adi Zahavi, International Director for Emergency Volunteer's Project, Israel, will present the details of the program. All are welcome to come and see if this commitment is something you can do. Information can also be obtained at www.evp.org.il

Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.

Questions should be directed to Peter W. Byrne at the RCFTC

[Guest]

For those of you who are interested in the mutual aid program for Israel and could not attend the seminar last evening, the director of the program is here in the area for this week and willing to meet with individuals and groups of persons interested in the program.

Please review the website www.EVP.org.il and then contact me Shlomo@HillcrestFD.org or email the director Azahavi@ieaf.co.il

This is NOT a "Jewish program".

This IS a firefighters program.

Thank you.