The latest Home Front Command battalion to be formed is drilling intensely for worst-case scenarios, including chemical missile attacks and conventional projectile strikes, its commander told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
Lt.-Col. Dror Shaul, who commands the Tavor Battalion – the fourth Home Front Command battalion of its kind – said a chemical missile strike exercise had been completed in Ashkelon in recent weeks.
The battalion is preparing for a drill in the coming weeks that will see its members deal with a conventional missile strike before being called suddenly to a chemical incident, in an effort to simulate a war with extreme and unforeseen developments.
While the risk of rockets and missiles carrying conventional warheads being fired by terrorists remains a constant, the chances of an unconventional attack are far lower, according to security evaluations.
On ordinary days, when the battalion is not drilling for extreme scenarios, it takes part in security missions in the West Bank.
“We’re fully set up and operational,” Shaul said. “Our mission is to save lives in emergencies.
We practice rescuing trapped victims from scenes of destruction caused by war or terrorism.
Our scenarios involve homes struck by projectiles, like the Rishon Lezion apartment building hit during Operation Pillar of Defense [in November 2012],” Shaul added, referring to an incident involving a medium-range rocket causing considerable damage to a residential structure.