The Oslo Accords envisioned an Emergency Services and Rescue branch (Al Difa'a Al Madani) as part of one sole security force named "The Palestinian Police".[3]
On 28 May 1998, then President Yasser Arafat issued "Civil Defence Law No. 3 of 1998", which brought into effect a draft law of the Palestinian Legislative Council. The organization came under the authority of the Interior Minister, under the direction of the Director-General of Civil Defence. Also a Higher Civil Defence Council, led by the Interior Minister, was established to formulate and implement the general policy of the Civil Defence.[4]
Tasks
The Civil Defence is an emergency and rescue organization which takes action in cases of natural catastrophes and emergency, including fire, rescue, external military attacks and other risks.[4] The Civil Defence's target response time to emergency calls is 12 minutes.
Organization
The Civil Defence operates out of 46 fire stations spread across the West Bank and Jerusalem. The fire stations are distributed throughout the governorates as follows:
Jericho Governorate
Jericho
Tubas Governorate
Tubas
Salfit Governorate
Salfit
Deir Istiya
Biddiya
Qalqilya Governorate
Qalqilya
Hajjah
Azzun
Nablus Governorate
North Asira
Burin
Balata
Tulkarm Governorate
Tulkarm
Atil
Anabta
Jerusalem Governorate
Al-Ram
Abu Dis
Anata
Bir Nabala
Qatanna
Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate
Beitunia
Al-Bireh
Birzeit
Abwein
Beit Liqia
Al-Taybeh
Nil'in
Hebron Governorate
Yatta
Dura
Bani Naim
as-Samu
Al-Dhahiriya
Al-Yasiriya
Beit Ula
Halhoul
Jenin Governorate
Jenin
Siris
Barta'a
Al-Yamoun
Ya'bad
Qabatiya
Arraba
Marj Ibn Amir
Jaba'
International support
In June 2015, the European Union provided, as part of a €3.7 million grant, equipment to the Palestinian Civil Defence, including 5 rapid response vehicles and 9 additional vehicles. They were handed over to General Mahmoud Issa, the Director General of the Palestinian Civil Defence. Also provided were mobile lighting masts and electric generators.[5][6]
In March 2016, the EU delivered 9 firefighting engines and three rescue trucks as part of a €20 million infrastructure programme in the Security Sector. They were handed over at the celebration of the conclusion of a capacity-building programme. Also 8 community police stations and a correctional facility in the West Bank were built as part of the infrastructure programme.[7]
