The Public Security Ministry unveiled a new emergency control center this week
designed to provide decision-makers with real-time information during times of
war or natural disasters.
The center, located in the ministry’s building
in Jerusalem, is built to withstand unconventional weapons attacks.
It
will receive information from police, firefighters, paramedics, and the IDF Home
Front Command via encrypted landlines, and present it in a comprehensive manner
with the help of expensive computer systems.
“Today, we have to prepare
for all sorts of scenarios, including the possibility of missile attacks,” a
senior official from the ministry told
The Jerusalem Post. “Until now, the
ministry wasn’t prepared for these kinds of emergencies. This will upgrade us by
several levels.
“The public security minister didn’t have a place like
this. In the past, he would receive verbal reports from his security secretary.
The secretary got his information from phone conversations with sources,” the
official explained.
The control room, which cost NIS 2.7 million to
construct, will play a role in coordinating counter-terrorism operations,
safeguarding public order, crime-fighting, and providing aid to the IDF during
missile attacks.
“It’s clear that we need to synchronize all of the
[emergency] bodies, while maintaining a national perspective,” Public Security
Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said while inspecting the center on
Sunday.
Past times of crisis, including the Second Lebanon War, Operation
Cast Lead, and the Carmel Fire disaster were all catalysts in setting up the
center, the official said.
During emergencies, the control room will be
manned 24 hours a day by a specially trained team. Staff members will include 45
retired police officers. During times of calm, it will be staffed only some of
the time.
The move also reflects the growing jurisdiction of the Public
Security Ministry, which is seeking to house all emergency services under its
roof.
Over the past year, the Fire and Rescue Services, the Firearms
Licensing Authority, and the Drug Authority have all come under the ministry’s
jurisdiction.
The ministry is also planning on assuming responsibility
over the Magen David Adom paramedic service.