Netanyahu on Carmel Fire: We need more planes

PM tells Knesset Control C'tee that lack of firefighting planes is the biggest problem; Aharonovitch says he will not sack any firefighters.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netanyahu 311 reuters (photo credit: Reuters)
Netanyahu 311 reuters
(photo credit: Reuters)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu attended a State Control Committee hearing on fire preparedness and the Carmel Fire on Monday.
Netanyahu explained that the biggest problem with Israel's fire fighting services is the lack of fire-fighting airplanes. He recounted a trip to Greece in August, during which a forest fire broke out and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou sent planes to put out the blaze.
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Netanyahu added that Israel is on the waiting list to buy such planes, but that there is a three-year waiting list.
During the meeting, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said that fire fighters will not be sacked, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
"No one will be fired," Aharonovitch said. "Everyone will stay in the service, and we will add another 500 fire fighters." In addition, he said that rehabilitating fire services is "the number one priority as long as I am responsible."
Committee chairman Yoel Hasson assured the prime minister, during a conversation between the two on Sunday night, that the hearing will be held in a respectful manner and there will be no interferences from those invited.