page_title: Israel Fire and Rescue Services
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Israel Fire and Rescue Services / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Transport in Israel עברית: תרגיל כיבוי בתל אביב, Original Image Name:תרגיל כיבוי
context_page_description: The Israel Fire and Rescue Services is the national Israeli fire and rescue organization. The organisation also provides rescue services from terror attacks, car accident and dangerous substance spillages, along with Magen David Adom, the National EMS. They are also involved in public education and awareness campaigns. The service is accessed by calling 102 from any phone. As of 2010, the director of the services is Shimon Romach.
context_section_description: After a fire in Zikhron Ya'akov in 1897, the first firefighting company was established by the Baron Rothschild. The company had 32 members, and  equipment was brought from Paris, including pumps, hoses, ladders, axes and uniforms with shiny copper helmets and leather belts.
  Another company was formed in Tel Aviv in 1925 following a flood in the Brenner neighbourhood, and was based in the first dedicated fire station in the country, a shed near the police station. Throughout the following years, more firefighting companies and fire stations were established throughout the Yishuv. By Israeli independence in 1948 there were fire stations in most Jewish settlements; Petah Tikva, Jerusalem, Haifa, Hadera, Rehovot, Nahariya, Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Afula, Herzliya, Kfar Saba, Holon, Netanya and Rishon LeZion.
  After Israeli independence, fire stations were built in several other cities, including Acre and Beersheba, at Lod Airport, the oil refineries in Haifa and at the ports of Port of Haifa and Port of Ashdod.
  The Firefighting Services Law was passed in 1959 and took effect in 1960. It established a fully professional firefighting force, as until then, firefighters had previously been volunteers.
  Israel Fire and Rescue Services operates 5 fire stations in Jerusalem. The main station is in Givat Mordechai, with branches in Romema, Wadi al-Joz, Givat Ram and Neve Ya'akov.
  Since the Carmel Fire of December 2010, Israel's fire and rescue services have been transformed and upgraded from a municipal based structure into a national force. All firefighters and rescue personnel are now government employees under the Ministry Of Public Security.
  The reform is described on the National Firefighting Authority's homepage as follows:
  The Fire Reform – Creating a National Fire Authority
  On July 25, 2012, the Knesset approved a law establishing a National Fire Authority. The law entails dismantling the local fire authorities and creating 7 districts under the control of the Fire Commission, within the Ministry of Public Security.
  Fire and Rescue Services
  National Fire Authority
  The law followed a government decision from January 2011, which, in light of the Mt. Carmel forest fire, called for the establishment of a National Fire Authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security.
  Main Points of the Law:
  The law changes the structure of the fire service from a municipality-based, divided force, into a single, unified, national force. The law also broadens the authority of the Fire Commissioner, who will now command over the force, determine the number and location of fire stations, and decide on the size of the force. As a result of the move to the Ministry of Public Security, all firefighters will now become government employees. In addition, the jurisdiction over hazardous materials will be transferred from the Environmental Protection Ministry to the Fire Commission. According to the government decision, the law must be implemented by February 1, 2013.
  Making Changes:
  In light of the new units being developed to meet the needs of the National Fire Authority, 300 new firefighters have been enlisted and an additional 30 positions in the fire commission were approved, including a deputy commissioner, head of operations and head of investigations. In addition, 22 units for special rescue missions involving heights and water have been established. Finally, an aerial firefighting unit was established under the command of the Air Force, and consists of eight aircraft, each with a capacity of 3,000 liters of water or foam.
  Apart from recruiting new personnel, the Fire Service has also made significant advancements in the field of technology. First, a national, state-of-the-art control center was constructed at the fire commission headquarters. In addition, the fire and rescue academy was renovated, including new dormitories, new lecture halls, a workout room, and new training equipment. Additionally, plans are in the works for designing a multi-purpose training facility which will include fire and smoke simulations. So fa
caption: Ladder truck
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