(VIDEO AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

As part of ongoing training exercises simulating a major earthquake, Magen David Adom will for a first time evacuate wounded from the Knesset by chopper.

As part of the major earthquake preparedness drill involving the IDF and other emergency agencies, MDA in cooperation with the IDF Homefront Command and Fire Service will be involved in evacuating wounded from the Knesset by air and land as a result of a simulated building collapse.

In a first-ever move during such a drill, the MDA chopper will be using the Knesset Rose Garden as a heliport. A staging station will be established along with addressing the extrication of persons trapped in rubble.

MDA involvement will also involve land vehicles including ambulances, motorcycles and electric bicycles, permitting response, treatment on the scene and evacuation from the scene. MDA operations will be monitored and controlled from its National Mobile Command & Control Vehicle.

In the accompanying video, MDA Chief Eli Bin explains the significance and scope of the training event involving the nation’s emergency organizations.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: MDA spokesman unit)