Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority (PA), as well as four European countries, are set to participate in a joint drill of their emergency services – the first exercise of its kind.
The Middle East Forest Fire exercise (MEFF), will take place from 22nd to 26th October in Jordan and Israel, and will include rescue forces from Italy, France, Spain and Croatia.
The planning stage of the exercise is set to take place in Jordan before the field training begins in Israel.
According to reports, the exercise will test the capacity of all sides to cooperate in major rescue operations, including a focus on firefighting, rescues from collapsed buildings and other emergency situations.
Israel’s contingent is set to include both civilian rescuers from the Fire and Rescue Services and military teams from the Home Front Command.
Jordan will send two helicopters, 60 rescuers, 40 fire engines and 15 medical teams, and the Palestinian Authority is said to be sending two firefighting planes, a command plane and transport planes, as well as 15 rescuers and 40 fire engines.
France, Italy, Spain, and Croatia will each send medical and rescue teams and firefighting planes, according to the reports.
