Israel's Home Front Command is reportedly instructing civilians to stock up on emergency equipment to prepare for a possible outbreak of war.
Col. Sigal Tidhar, head of the Population Department in the Home Front Command, said the move is part of its annual campaign to prepare the public for emergencies, Breaking Israel News reports.
But unlike in the past, Tidhar said this year's drive is geared toward getting civilians to take action.
"This is the change we made this year, telling civilians to go out and get emergency equipment. We are telling civilians to act, to do something and not merely increase awareness," she said.
The campaign messages, which are being broadcast on a number of media platforms, advise civilians to have ready radios with batteries, water bottles and portable electrical chargers, among other things. "
"These are small yet significant things civilians can do during peacetime to be better prepared," Tidhar said. "They can visit our site to see the full list."[http://www.oref.org.il/894- en/Pakar.aspx]
The public information drive also calls on civilians, during times of quiet, to hold discussions with family members and select a safe area in close proximity to their homes.
At the same time, parents can speak to children and tell them where to go if something happens while they are at work.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the annual campaigns held since 2008 aim to establish a line of communication between the government and the public. The Home Front Command reportedly uses a variety of channels to achieve this goal.
Tidhar admitted that even if there are some members of the public who are not responsive to the campaigns, "they will still remember the messages and know where to go to get relevant information if there is an emergency."
The Home Front Command said this year's campaign forgoes the celebrities used in the past in favour of focusing on the family unit.
"We are putting out the message that civilians have responsibility. There are many things civilians can do."
The measures recommended by the campaign are useful beyond preparedness for war. They are also right for earthquakes and any other emergency, said Tidhar.
