The Palestinian Civil Defence (PCD; ) is one of the main branches of the Palestinian Security Services under direct responsibility of the Ministry of Interior. The organization is responsible for emergency services and rescue in areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority, as well as in the Gaza Strip.
Establishment 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".Oslo II Accord, Annex I: Protocol Concerning Redeployment and Security Arrangements, Article IV.2. 28 September 1995
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.Roland Friedrich, Arnold Luethold and Firas Milhem, The Security Sector Legislation of the Palestinian National Authority . Civil Defence Law No. 3 of 1998, 28 May 1998. pp. 245-251 (3,2 MB). Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), January 2008. On website
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. The Civil Defence's target response time to emergency calls is 12 minutes.
The organization conducted search and rescue operations during the Gaza war.
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.EU provides rapid response and support vehicles and equipment for the Palestinian Civil Defence, 9 June 2015. Press Release PR/13/2015EU provides vehicles, equipment for Palestinian Civil Defense. Ma'an News Agency, 10 June 2015.
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.The European Union supports the Palestinian Civil Defence: capacity building programme and provision of firefighting and rescue vehicles, Press Release, 16 March 2016. On website
See also Palestinian Security Services Interior Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Palestinian Civil Police Force Palestinian National Security Forces Palestinian Preventive Security
References
External links
Official website (Arabic)