Two Texas Baptist Men disaster relief leaders participated in an emergency preparedness exercise in Israel.
Officials with Israel’s Emergency Volunteers Project, acting through the nation’s National Management Authority, invited Terry Henderson, TBM state disaster relief director, and Tony Rolater of Rockwall, volunteer state logistics coordinator, to take part in the exercise and offer advice about mass feeding of civilians after a natural or manmade disaster. The TBM leaders met with Israel’s emergency manager at the Knesset in Jerusalem.
During the three-day experience, Henderson and Rolater visited multiple locations to observe a variety of emergency scenarios and see the Israeli version of a multi-agency resource center. They also toured several communities to get a feel for the day-to-day lives of Israelis.
“We discussed a future partnership where we could train volunteers how to prepare meals for mass feeding, provide an airlift feeding unit and provide assistance with water purification,” Henderson said. “There is also a need for medical personnel following a disaster.”
Israeli officials are expected to meet with TBM disaster relief leaders in Dallas in mid-July.
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