In a ceremony held yesterday (8.11.2021) at Kibbutz Nir Am - located in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council and a mere 5km from the Gaza Strip - KKL-JNF inaugurated 4 brand-new, state-of-the-art fire engines, which were sponsored by Friends of KKL-JNF, JNF-USA, KKL Netherlands, JNF-KKL Germany, KKL Italy, KKL Switzerland, and KKL-JNF Austria.
The vehicles are ready to meet any fire threat to Israel's nature, forests, and civilian population. They are equipped with innovative off-road capabilities and are outfitted especially to deal with forest terrain. Notable features include: a range of automatic driving modes, larger water tanks, stronger water pumps, and advanced motors that emit less pollution and reach faster speeds. Each fire truck is equipped with a separate foam tank that optimizes the water’s efficiency in extinguishing wildfires, thus saving water and work hours and reducing the burned area.
The new trucks will be joining the 24 KKL-JNF fire engines already operational throughout Israel.
In attendance at the ceremony were the KKL-JNF World Chairman and other senior KKL-JNF representatives, heads of several regional and local councils, members of Kibbutz Nir Am, representatives of the Israeli Fire and Rescue Service, representatives of the Israeli Police Force, and representatives of the Israel Defense Forces, among others.
In his address, the KKL-JNF World Chairman,
Avraham Duvdevani, stated:
"It's moving to see the new fire engines, especially in an area so close to Gaza, that was
subjected to so many fires this past summer as a result of our enemy’s onslaught. Just recently, not far from this very hill, a Nahal soldier was hit and killed by a missile.
“KKL-JNF has been dealing with immense wildfires in recent years - and we're preparing for the coming year with a thorough and comprehensive plan, together with the Ministry of Internal Security, to minimize the damage caused by these wildfires.
“These magnificent fire engines will be joining KKL-JNF's firefighting forces, whose capacities we just
recently witnessed during the latest wave of wildfires. I'm proud of every one of our brave firefighters, who risk their lives during these chaotic fires and I thank the people who contributed and made the purchasing of these modern fire engines happen".
KKL-JNF has a wide-ranging firefighting array that includes 28 off-road fire engines, 2 Kawasaki fire trucks, 24 observation towers, and duty roster groups of KKL-JNF and regional staff. They are assisted by an advanced technological system that includes fire-risk mapping to aid in decision making, a comrade-assisted fire management map, real-time guidance of fire and rescue forces in the field, and an observation system with day and night vision capabilities.
Ofir Libstein, Head of Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, said: "I thank KKL-JNF for their important cooperation in various joint projects. Incredible work by KKL-JNF men and women - and for that we're all highly thankful".