The "Firefighting and Rescue Units" of the EVP are the first ever units of their kind that consist of individuals from around the world who come together as active emergency volunteers in Israel’s firefighting and rescue services.
During crises and wartime situation, the number of incidents is more than three times greater than normal. This huge increase in work load means that fire and rescue teams take far longer to provide life-saving help.
The Israeli Fire & Rescue Services consists of a handful of highly trained professionals working full time in firefighting and search and rescue operations The 2,000 Israeli filed firefighters, spread over a population of 7.5 million, are barely sufficient to save lives and property during peacetime and with the best will in the world they cannot provide the extent of fire and rescue services expected during the next outbreak of violence.
EVP provides the additional, professional manpower to close this gap and enable crews to respond to all emergency's in an efficient response time that will result in saving lives.
The actions you will be required to take includes:
Volunteer teams will be deployed and work with existing Israeli Firefighting stations in those areas of Israel where the need is greatest.
We are seeking professional and volunteer firefighters and trained maintenance personnel, in particular mechanics experienced in the maintenance and repair of heavy vehicles and machinery.
Volunteers can choose to be activated in times of emergency and/or as part of our "Operation Ready” missions.
Members of the EVP who are in Israel on a private visit can also volunteer to work at an Israeli Fire and Rescue station.
After completed the 8 hour US training, the candidate must complete a Israeli training/trip within 2 years. During these two years and initial training the new member will be on a probationary period. They will be evaluated by their state leader at the US training, and Division leader and Israeli Captain on the Israeli Training. The member may be terminated at any time if they receive multiple unsatisfactory evaluation concerning the same issue. Candidate will be made aware of an unsatisfactory performance with a written notification and plan for improvement. The termination of member will be agreed upon unanimously by Israeli Officer, State, Division, National Leaders.
Israel’s National Fire and Rescue Services opens this project to professional and volunteer firefighters. Those who are prepared to assist the State of Israel’s first or second lines of civil defense workers is eligible to become a part of the project. An individual who has successfully completed all training and examinations, has been certified as a firefighter and who is certified by their State to work in this profession.
Firefighters will be assigned to a specific fire service station in Israel and will operate according to the orders by the Israeli Fire Service officers. Professional firefighters with a minimum of two years working experience are preferred. All others will be evaluated on an individual basis upon request.
An individual who has successfully completed all training and examinations, has been certified as a Firefighter and who is certified by their State to work in this profession. Professional firefighters with a minimum of two years working experience. All others will be evaluated on an individual basis.
All qualified individuals who are willing to serve as an EVP volunteer and who meet the standards and criteria for acceptance may apply for EVP membership by submitting a completed application to the designated official. All forms must be filled out in legible, print letters. Failure to complete the forms in full or indecipherable text will delay the application process. Applicants should confirm that their forms have been received by the designated office. Following review and application approval, the volunteer will be provided a Personal Profile Page on the EVP web site. This is a personal area to assist the volunteer in raising the financial resources for training and deployment.
Each candidate must submit their application to their designated chapter point of contact or via the EVP web site (EVP Volunteer Application Form). Applications are only considered complete when all fields have been filled in. If any fields do not apply, “N/A” should be entered. Applications cannot be evaluated unless all completed forms are submitted and all certifications signed and submitted. EVP reserves the right to request additional information if deemed necessary to complete the application review. Any candidate who is known to be a carrier of an infectious disease must clearly state this on the EVP application.
Applications will be reviewed for completeness; any missing or incomplete information will delay the application process. Applicants will be notified of any missing or incomplete information and will be provided the opportunity to provide the information in a timely manner. Failure to provide the requested information within five business days will result in an automatic rejection of the application unless an extension is requested in writing by the applicant. Once all information has been received, the applicant will be notified that their application is complete and is moving on to the next step in the process.
Upon receipt of the completed application, including the authorization for a background check, EVP will initiate a background check which includes a criminal background check, as well as certain other details as may be required. This background check takes approximately two weeks to complete. Details are confidential and will not be released to any third parties other than those necessary to complete the application review. Failure to pass the background check will result in rejection of the application. Any history of felony arrest or prosecution, including violence, sexual misconduct or drug use, will result in an automatic rejection of the application.
Following initial approval of the application and while the background investigation is underway, each candidate will be interviewed. An EVP authorized person, will conduct the interview before no more than three people, either in person or via a video conference. The interview will allow both EVP and the applicant to better understand the roles and responsibilities of EVP membership. For those volunteers who will respond to Israel in times of emergency, the pressures and risks associated with deployment to Israel during times of emergency will also be discussed. The interview will form the basis for both parties to make an informed decision about EVP membership.
Once accepted, the candidate will be assigned to an EVP chapter and provided with all of the services and benefits of EVP membership. Responders will be assigned to an emergency deployment unit for their preferred deployment wave (immediate, second wave deployment or successive waves). EVP Auxiliary volunteers will be assigned to a unit based on their expertise and location. Volunteers will be placed in a specific unit under a regional commander and local team leader. Each volunteer will also be evaluated by the director of volunteers, or a designate, to assess their suitability for various command and/or administrative functions. Those volunteers wishing to be considered for leadership positions should make this known to the Director of Volunteers or their chapter leadership.
Emergency alert or activation will occur at the direction the appropriate Israeli governmental body (Government Ministry, Fire Service, IDF, or other authorized body). Once an alert notification or activation order is received, Senior EVP staff will authorize an increase of the EVP alert level. Senior EVP officials also have the authority to order the initiation of the predefined procedures and actions required and to activate the US Situation Room.
When a nationwide alert has been issued, senior EVP staff will determine the appropriate alert level and which service teams will be notified. All activation procedures will follow the predefined protocols and procedures.
Once an emergency situation has diminished to the point that responders can be released (return to nominal conditions), the original organization issuing the alert has the authority to reduce the alert level.
EVP has established three levels of alert status. These alert levels indicate the likelihood of deployment due to conditions in Israel. Because the nature of incidents could involve one or more area of service, each area of service may have a different alert level.
This is the nominal state of readiness of EVP responders and reflects the relatively normal life in Israel. There is no specific, immediate emergency situation, nor is one anticipated in the near future, which would necessitate activation of EVP responders.
In a moderate alert situation, a reasonable likelihood exists that an emergency deployment could become necessary in the near future. The specifics of the situation may or may not be known or fully developed, but the general nature of the situation is understood. Moderate Alert level will be maintained for no more than six days; at that time either the alert level will be raised to High, or returned to Low level.
The situation in Israel is such that an immediate emergency activation of one or more service areas and one or more waves of teams is required. Specifics of the emergency are known and a preliminary impact assessment has been completed. The estimated number of responder teams and number of waves needed has been determined. The specific location(s) and geographic extent of the area of the emergency is understood. As a result, the specific activation of responder teams has been authorized and deployment plans implemented.
EVP Leadership will determine the number of waves needed based on the specific incident encountered. For example, in an earthquake scenario, all required waves will be activated at the same time due to the extreme and widespread nature of the incident. In a war or large terror incident, deployments will be separated into up to four waves that can cover about two months.
IT WAS 4:00 AM, THANKSGIVING MORNING.
MY PHONE VIBRATED ON THE NIGHT STAND AND THE TEXT READ 'WE’RE DEPLOYING TO ISRAEL-- LEAVING IN 6 HOURS. I LEANED OVER TO KISS MY FIANCÉE GOODBYE AND LEFT FOR THE LONG FLIGHT FROM LAX TO BEN GURION AIRPORT.
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