MDA Undertakes major incident drill in preparation for Meron
Magen David Adom teams undertook final preparations for Lag Ba'Omer in a large scale exercise.
A large scale drill took place on Mt. Meron in preparation for Lag Ba'Omer. The exercise, that saw Magen David Adom teams working alongside Israel Police and the Fire and Rescue department, simulated a large scale event including a fire that leads to a mass crushing incident.
Many of those who took part, MDA EMTs and Paramedics, were at the scene of last year's disaster that saw the loss of 45 lives.
In the exercise, a vast array of MDA technology and equipment was used, including ambulances, ATVs, MICUs, the Intensive Care buses and advanced communications vehicles. There was also collaboration with the IDF and teaming up to convey victims in helicopters.
The annual Lag Ba'Omer event, which begins this evening, will have hundreds of MDA EMTs and Paramedics on site, along with other rescue organizations under MDA auspices, all prepared to provide aid to the hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit over the next three days.
MDA Director General Eli Bin: "As part of our preparations for Meron each year, MDA, along with the other security forces hold an annual major incident drill in order to be as prepared as possible. Last year unfortunately the drill became reality when we faced one of Israel's worst disasters. Hundreds of MDA EMTs and Paramedics will be on the mountain. I call on the public to adhere to instructions, avoid overcrowding, and I hope that this year the hundreds of thousands of people who attend will all return home safely."
