The IDF’s Emergency Population Instructors
Terror organizations surrounding Israel's borders pose a constant threat to Israeli civilians. At any given moment, Hezbollah Hamas, or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, just to name a few, could fire rockets or missiles into Israeli territory, disrupting the country’s daily routine. It’s a harsh reality––Israel’s entire population must always be prepared for emergencies, both physically and mentally. We interviewed the commander of the IDF’s Emergency Population Instructors, who leads the effort to direct Israel’s entire population in times of emergency.
04.05.21
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At the Urim base in southern Israel, nine military instructors from the IDF Home Front Command serve as ambassadors in front of Israel’s population and prepare elementary students, government company workers, and the elderly population to face different potential threats.
Lieutenant Rotem Sassi is the Emergency Population Officer of the Home Front Command in Israel’s southern district, one of the areas that suffers the most from rocket attacks. "In our position, we prepare the entire population to deal with emergencies,” she explained. “Not just missiles, but also natural disasters and large fires. We give them all the tools and guidelines for how to cope.
“We provide information to citizens of all ages and in all communities,” remarked Lt. Rotem. "Our last activity was in the Bedouin community, an area in which it is difficult to find shelter. We helped them understand how to best stay protected, even in situations where there is no close bomb shelter.”
"It's a privilege to do our job every day," she concluded. "The instructors and I are in direct contact with the citizens, and we do everything we can to make a difference for the civilian population. In the end, we save lives."
