As part of a wider agenda of increasing competence and preparedness, the Ministry of Defense will conduct an exercise in the north of Israel which will simulate an unconventional terror attack.

Next week, the Ministry of Defense (MOD), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, will conduct an exercise simulating an unconventional terror attack. The drill will simulate a biological outbreak of a contagious disease, attacking and infecting the cities of the north.

“Orange Flame 6” will be under the direct command of Brigadier General (res.) Ze’ev Snir, currently serving as Assistant Minister of Defense for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Defense, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health. The event will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 30th – November 1st in the North, focused on the cities of Afula, Tiveria, Nazareth, and Nazareth-Illit.

The nationwide responsibility for unconventional terror attacks – according to the relevant government decision – lies with the Ministry of Defense.   The MOD will therefore coordinate and organize the exercise on a national level, through the national crisis management team under the auspices of Brigadier General (res.) Ze’ev Snir.

Exercise “Orange Flame 6”, will take place as part of a number of exercises in the field of unconventional terrorism.  Such exercises take place every year.  In the up and coming months, the Ministry of Defense intends to hold additional drills in the field of unconventional terrorism.  This is part of a wider process of increasing Israel’s preparation, alertness and competence in dealing with this particular threat.

The exercise will test and drill the various organs of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, the Home Front Command, hospitals, health-care centers, local authorities, the police, MDA, fire department, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Foreign affairs, and the Water Authority, as well as other bodies.

As part of the exercise, the local authorities will set up Mass-Prophylaxis Treatment Centers which will simulate the provision of preventative treatment to citizens who are suspected of exposure to the outbreak.  Each center will be drilled on their capacity to treat approximately 5,000 patients per day.  The hospitals will be drilled on their ability to treat those who already displaying symptoms of the disease.

The aim of the drill is to increase the preparedness and competence of all the relevant national services in coping with biological terror attacks.  This year, the exercise will focus on the north.

Snir notes, “The aim of the exercise is to improve and increase the capabilities of the State of Israel to handle an unconventional terror attack.  It is important that that the citizens of Israel know that there are people in the Defense Establishment, as well as the other relevant authorities, whose permanent job is to prepare the State of Israel to handle these types of threats.  The State of Israel is at the global forefront of preparedness for such events.  However we are committed to continuously testing ourselves in order to increase and improve both our capabilities and preparedness for the array of potential challenges that we could face.”

Taking part in the major training event are Ha’emek Hospital (Afula), Poriah Hospital (Tiveria), The Italian & English Hospitals (Nazareth), the four major kupot cholim (HMOs – Clalit, Leumit, Meuchedet, Maccabi), MDA, police, fire, Homefront Command, other EMS volunteer organization, local government and other relevant agencies.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)