An Ideal Civilian Model

A really good set up would be local neighborhood blocs / street segments, with emergency point-persons per bloc, who would on the one hand work with the neighbors, mapping them out, getting them involved, training and equipping and such; while on the other hand, the local government would manage rescue teams and emergency operators, that would also plan and coordinate with the bloc point-persons.

Besides the capacity to reach more people this way, another significant advantage is that when a large-scale emergency takes place, the neighbors are already on the scene, they know who lives where and who is missing, and they won't be rushing off to another destination - they are there.

This model is taken from cities in the US, and currently is in implementation process in Ramat ha'Sharon, who created a website that is worth sharing - here are some select bits of introductory content:

The program focuses on personal and communal preparedness for emergency disasters such as earthquake or missile bombardment, as we assume the following:

1. During the first 72 hours following a large-scale incident, we will not have full access to emergency and rescue services, nor to essential services and infrastructure. (i.e. electricity, medical, water, transport)

2. Proactive preparedness with basic tools, knowledge, and planned collaboration with neighbors, will bring to dramatic enhancement of our resilience, individually and as a community, to manage better in emergencies.

3. Coordination between the community and local government and rescue units re communication, reporting, and cooperation, will significantly help the professional official emergency rescue units to reach us and do their job more effectively among us.

Program for Strengthening Community Preparedness for Emergencies in 3 Effective Stages:

1. Personal Preparedness

2. Bloc Preparedness

3. Neighborhood Preparedness

The first stage means equipping households with water and food, first aid kits, clothing, documents, and other items. These can save lives in the event. Participation in first aid programs and family emergency preparation can save you. There are lists of items to use, ranging from very minimal lists, to advanced highly precautious lists.

The second stage means that in an emergency those who can help us until the rescue units arrive are our immediate neighbors, who are closest to us physically. The program encourages cooperation of 'blocs', in a building or street bloc, led by a point-person.

Initially, the point-person makes contact with all the families, maps out essential information and makes accesible protocols and training for the neighbors. In the event of an emergency, the point-person communicates with external groups - other blocs, rescue units, local government and such, providing information and guiding the bloc's actions.

The third stage means that emergency-prepared blocs of neighbors can collaborate with each other... Sharing resources and reach exponentially enhances the resilience of the neighborhoods. As communities, then they would connect to the networks of regional paramedics, security forces, police and fire protection, and rescue units. Prepped neighborhoods becomes the eyes and ears of the official networks, the frontline, providing in real-time accurate information from the field.