The Ministry Policy and Strategic Planning Division's Research Dept. has developed a unique advanced operational system for forecasting the path and course of fires.
Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich hailed the development of the system as a global breakthrough that will allow decision-makers on the ground to exert far better control, including in advance preparations.
The system takes atmospheric variables into account and provides a three-dimensional forecast of a fire’s course, including its temperature and the height of the flames. It will be a vital tool in making both routine and emergency decisions regarding the closure of roads, evacuation of communities, etc.
Failure to predict the course of a fire in early December and wrong instructions given to a bus carrying Prisons Service cadets resulted in a huge tragedy. Forty four people were killed in the worst natural tragedy in Israel's history. The lack of firefighting planes was also blamed for the catastrophe, and Israel has since equipped itself with a squadron of such planes.
The system will serve the Fire and Rescue Service, as well as – inter alia – the JNF, Israel Police and IDF Home Front Command, in order to increase coordination and efficiency in both actual emergencies and emergency planning.
The system is due to be operational next month.
Pursuant to the Cabinet's decision in January regarding the establishment of a national fire and rescue authority under the aegis of the Public Security Ministry, Public Security Minister Director-General Yaakov Ganot decided to improve the readiness, and increase the efficiency of the fire and rescue service. The new system is part of that effort.
Minister Aharonovich commended all those involved in creating the new system.