State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Thursday), emphasizing the importance of immediately correcting deficiencies in the fire department's preparedness for emergency events. This is especially true in light of the expected days of drought in the coming days and the celebration of Lag B'Omer in a week.
Who is eligible for new discounts on public transportation and how do you update your profile?
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
The Comptroller emphasized to the Prime Minister that in the fire incident from last week, "we were one step away from a disaster with dozens of fatalities that could have been more serious than the fire incident in Carmel in 2010. This is in accordance with the initial insights of the fire department from the treatment and rescue of over a hundred vehicles and buses from Highway No. 1. It is appropriate that this 'near disaster' event be analyzed and treated as if the disaster had occurred.".
In his letter, the inspector noted the gaps that emerged during his tour of the fire area earlier this week and during his meeting with the senior command of the fire department.
The Comptroller emphasizes: "The fire incident on Memorial Day must be a wake-up call for the government's overall preparedness under your leadership to deal with emergency events related to the firefighting system that is required to respond to fire and rescue events, with the understanding that as a result of climate change, more extreme, more frequent, and more destructive weather events may occur.
""Given the complexity and importance of the issue, I once again call on you in this appeal to ensure that urgent government action is taken to bridge the gaps described regarding the fire department's emergency preparedness, as revealed in the audit reports and recent fire incidents.".
