With the enormous responsibility of safeguarding Gush Etzion`s over 20,000 residents, the Security Department works in constant cooperation with the army and the police force to expand and maintain the region`s security infrastructure, oversee ongoing security activities and provide comprehensive emergency services. Despite the uprising that severely augmented our security needs, the government has not been able to make substantial contributions for the numerous emergency requirements that have been thrust upon us. Notwithstanding the difficult economic situation, the increased cost for the stringent security requirements has fallen upon us. Fortunately, many generous benefactors have shown tremendous support, but the needs are still great and additional support is essential for our security. Expensive security measures must be implemented all over Gush Etzion but are even more crucial in the Eastern bloc where the local Arabs have been particularly destructive and violent.

By the order of the IDF, we must provide security guards at every school building and for every class trip. In order to fund this additional expense, we have been forced to cut deeply into the overall budget for operating a municipality. While we hoped that the additional security measures would be temporary, the IDF`s security restrictions have not been relaxed and have only been accompanied by more drastic cuts in government assistance.

Building and maintaining a secure environment: In recent years, the Security Department has built and paved 60 km. of security roads, erected more than 76 km. of security fencing, added and renovated bright lighting around communities, and installed electric gates at the entrance to each community. The Department provides each community with a security jeep, furnished with essential lighting, communications and first-aid systems.

Coordinating all emergency services: Gush Etzion`s new Regional Emergency Station, the first of its kind in Israel, brings all emergency services together under one roof. Currently housing a professionally-staffed fire station and two rescue units - one for rescue from automobile accidents or security-related incidents and the other for locating and rescuing hikers in distress in the Judean Desert - the Station will soon become the central dispatcher for the region`s 11 ambulances and mobile intensive care unit. A trauma treatment center will provide the highest quality care in times of emergency, ensuring the fastest, most effective reaction to any crisis. There will also be a central police station for the residents.

Regional Rescure, Fire and Trauma Station (La Mizrak)

Comprehensive protection for everyone in the region: From schoolchildren to tourists, the well-being of every individual in the Gush Etzion area depends on Security Department responsibilities, among them:

• Guarding and providing security systems for schools and public institutions
  
• Arranging permits and army accompaniment for school trips, visiting groups and other outings
  
• Overseeing civil guard activities in each community
  
• Organizing drills of emergency procedures
  
• Maintaining security communications systems

Projects requiring funding :
 

1.	Equipment for rescue team	$25,000
2.	International training courses for volunteer rescue workers :
	Per rescue team	$50,000
3.	Local first aid course for rescue team :
	Per course :	$8,000
	Per individual worker :	$5,000
4.	Equipment for Emergency Defense Unit	$30,000
5.	Mini transport vehicle (tractoron) to bring equipment to rescue site	$50,000
6.	Equipment for high-casualty incidents	$20,000
7.	Computer with special security/safety programs	$6,000

For a breakdown of expenses such as equipment, please contact us at gushezif@inter.net.il or 972-2-993-9917.

Individuals, schools or synagogues may be interested in purchasing specific security equipment for as low as a few hundred dollars. Donations may be earmarked in honor of, or in memory of a loved one, and proper acknowledgement will be sent.

The Gush Etzion Volunteer Rapid Response Teams continue to be available at a moment’s notice whenever they are needed. However, as a result of the upcoming "Security Fence`, there is a growing need for medical and rescue equipment.
 
The community of Carmei Tzur and the seven communities on the eastern side of Gush etzion will not be within the fence. This will result in a very vulnerable situation for those communities due to the escalation of security measures needed.
 
Emergency Volunteer Teams in Gush Etzion
As a result of the recent escalation of Terror since the Disengagement and the building of the `Anti-Terror Fence`, combined with information provided to the Gush Etzion Security Department, we have valid concerns that the security situation in our region will continue to worsen. In the last month alone, we have experienced various events that unfortunately support this scenario. Flammable bottles and rocks thrown at cars, suspicious objects on the road, a drive by shooting in which 3 young people were killed and the arrest of terrorist ring leaders in our area indicate the need for us to upgrade our security immediately.
 
In preparation for the likely scenario that we will soon be entering an emergency period, we must refresh and upgrade our equipment and prepare our voluntary emergency teams in each community. The purpose of these teams is to properly react at the time of a terrorist action and provide the immediate emotional and psychological support that is vital for the well-being of our residents.
 
There are 15 communities in gush Etzion with 10 volunteer members in each emergency team.

Costs:
Project coordinator in a 1/4 time position to recruit volunteers, maintain and refresh the teams, and handle the training logistics 2,500 NIS per month.
 
Training: An overall fee of 75,000 NIS includes training for working as a team, learning about trauma, how to notify the families, informing the public, managing a community during the emergency period, etc...
 
Equipment requirements are mobile phones or communication beepers for every regional social worker and trauma member to ensure that immediate communication is possible at the time of an event. The cost is 100 shekel a month per unit, and 75 units are required.
 
In addition, there is an annual cost of 40,000 NIS in order to maintain the teams, by providing them with rejuvenating and energizing activities, in order that they are able to be effective despite the depressing situations that they encounter.
 
The Government Ministry of Social Work will participate in the amount of 20,000 for the entire training budget.
 
Previously, the Regional Volunteer Emergency Team included representatives of every community, but we must expand this to include the educational institutions: 40 pre-schools and 9 schools (elementary and high school).
 
Youth and New Immigrants:
In light of the involvement of youth both as victims and community activists, we must consider how the youth are affected, mainly from the therapy perspective.
 
Additional costs, beyond what has already been mentioned.
Establishing volunteer emergency teams within the education system:
Overall regional costs: 15,000 NIS.
Building teams within each institution: 7,000 shekel for every school and pre-school (40 pre-schools and 9 elementary and regional schools) summing to 350,000 NIS
Building a team of youth leaders to be part of the emergency teams: 10,000 NIS.
 
These youth will be incorporated into the communities by the continuing education program that will be implemented at a community level.
 
And finally, maintaining the teams as mentioned earlier, but in this case each time must have its independence (for example, the youth and new immigrants must have its own flavor- such as a meeting once every other month with a relevant topic- each meeting costing 4,000 NIS.
 
A summary of the costs follows:
Annual:
Project coordinator: 2,500 per month = 30,000 NIS
Beepers: 7,500 NIS per month = 90,000
Overall Training: 75,000 NIS
Maintaining the teams: 40,000 NIS
Total: 235,000 NIS, minus 20,000 NIS from the Ministry of Social Work = 215,000 NIS
 
Educational System Costs:
Overall Regional Costs: 15,000 NIS
Pre, Elementary and High Schools: 350,000 NIS
Total: 365,000 NIS
 
Youth and Olim:
Building a team: 10,000 NIS
Bi-Monthly meetings: 24,000 NIS
Total 34,000 NIS
 
Sum Total, minus participation from Ministry of Social Work:
614,000 NIS