Scenarios and Responses

There are several threats on the official lists of the Homefront Command. But there may also be a mix of natural and security threats. It can be confusing to anticipate the different scenarios, especially since you don't know what will happen when and where. However, the responses and preparedness are often common to different scenarios, so it is a shorter list, easy enough to comprehend and apply.

According to the Homefront Command, the threats are: War; Terror; Cyber; Hazardous Materials; Earthquake; Tsunami; Fires; Floods.

Each of these threats or scenarios come in different forms so it is but the beginning of emergency awareness. Each person and household has different needs and would prepare differently. Every area may experience different aspects and ramifications of various scenarios. It is good to learn what might happen, and it is critical to do some thinking.

Here are some responses to consider, and they are meant to help you think like in an emergency, understand certain principles of what it will be like:

1. Set your self up to STAY AT HOME locked up for several days. This is relevant to many scenarios - often the best thing you can do is stay put, and stay out of the way. Roads will be blocked or dangerous. Military and medical vehicles will be rushing past. Chaos will ensue in the system and institutions. Just take care of yourself for a few days, or more. What does that mean? It depends on you. You need water for drinking and other needs, food, think of your children, you may not have electricity or running water, it may not be safe to use gas. Consider items that do not need electricity. Buy a generator to maintain your fridge and the food there. Flashlights. You think, you decide. Read lists recommended to see if there is something your are missing.
   

2. COMMUNICATION is extremely important from your home. Make sure you have batteries or a source of power to recharge your phones. Consider getting a radio. You need to be in touch with neighbors, with friends and relatives, and with the authorities to get instructions on what is happening or what to do. The internet or power may collapse, but the cellular networks probably won't - they are international systems and do not depend on any situation in Israel.
   

3. Slightly different from just managing to stay at home, having good access and good conditions in your BOMB SHELTER / SECURED ROOM is of course critical, and most Israelis claim they do. These rooms are not only against bombardment, but also are more stable in times of earthquakes if you cannot leave your residence. But also in terms of a security threat on the ground, if there are terrorists shooting RPGs and machine guns in your area, like October 7th, stay in that room, lock all access to the house and room and building. Prepare for a siege.
   

4. MOBILITY is also important. Sometimes you need to remove yourself from the area as quickly as possible. Whether it is because of fires, developing warfare, pandemic, hazardous materials, and more - there may be a window of opportunity to leave. In many scenarios the danger is being there, and the roads get blocked because of traffic, as many people need to leave, and perhaps due to obstacles damaging alternative routes. Examine the roads in your area and consider dirt paths. Keep a car with half a tank at least, or extra gas perserved in your house, or coordinate with neighbors who have a vehicle. Get out, as early as possible. Consider packing a bag to take during emergency, or even leave it in your car.
   

5. As much as possible, for as many as possible, acquire knowledge and training to be FIRST RESPONDERS of sorts. That includes first aid kits, applying tourniquettes, CPR, use random items like wooden boards or doors as stretchers, connect with medical personnel in your neighborhood, learn how to use car jacks and garden pliers to remove and lift debree to reach casualties, study how to handle people in shock and panic (to save them, to get them to save themselves, to get them to help, to reduce later trauma), etc. Find courses online or get training in your area.
   

6. Learn how to respond during NATURAL DISASTERS relevant to your area. To some, forest fires and exposure to smoke is relevant, to others flooding is relevant, to some relevant is a tsunami, and for everyone, though for some more than others, earthquakes are relevant. Process in your mind what to do in each case.