$$News and Reports$$

Jan. 13, 2016
 Drill 1.jpg 

More than 100 ‘casualties’ were treated during a large scale regional toxicological drill held at BGU and Soroka University Medical Center today. HAZMAT- suited first responders treated the ‘victims’ on site and then ferried them away to waiting ambulances while a police helicopter hovered overhead. 

On hand, watching closely, were more than 200 emergency medicine experts from around the world who were in Israel this week for the 4th International Conference on Healthcare System Preparedness and Response to Emergencies & Disasters (IPRED),hosted by the Ministry of Health and the Home Front Command. The drill was the final day of the conference. 

Drill 2.jpg

During the drill, BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi noted that though she may have wished it were otherwise, BGU was well-trained and experienced in dealing with traumatic and stressful events, not only because of the military operations of recent years, but also because of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Emergency Medicine and the PREPARED Center for Emergency Response Research. The PREPARED Center is the premier center in Israel conducting rigorous and quantifiable research on response to emergencies, ranging from terror attacks to natural disasters, in order to establish workable guidelines for best management practices. 

Drill 3.jpg

“We are heavily involved in emergency preparedness through our close cooperation with Soroka University Medical Center and we are ready and willing to assist in any future scenario, whether in Israel or around the world,” declared Prof. Carmi. 

The drill simulated a toxic chemical spill from a train, treatment of victims on site and then a subsequent simulated mass casualty event at Soroka University Medical Center.

See photograph album on our Facebook page