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Israel’s civil defense system is on high alert as tensions with Iran continue to rise, with emergency commanders warning that threats to infrastructure and population centers are real but manageable through preparation and resilience.
Col. (res.) Nir Neuman, a senior reserve officer, says the country’s home front has undergone extensive fortification and training to ensure it can withstand even severe missile and drone attacks.
In an interview with Maariv’s podcast this week, Neuman struck a confident tone, arguing that readiness and public awareness remain Israel’s most effective defensive tools.
“I say first of all that in terms of fortification, we are prepared,” Neuman said. “We are trained to respond in the event of an incident. Any citizen who knows where to go and receives sufficient warning will be protected.”
Neuman currently commands the local emergency unit in Rishon LeZion and also heads the firefighting system at the Israel Electric Corporation, placing him at the center of two critical fronts: civilian rescue and national energy supply.
His dual roles highlight growing concerns that future confrontations may target not only military positions but also strategic civilian infrastructure, particularly power facilities that keep the country functioning.
“There is a threat to strategic facilities and population centers,” Neuman explained. “Our mission is to maintain resilience and supply reliability for residents, even under fire.”
According to Neuman, the power utility has invested heavily in protection measures, including reinforced sites, rapid-repair capabilities, and specialized firefighting and rescue units trained to respond immediately to strikes.
He described the corporation’s emergency teams as operating at a level comparable to reserve combat battalions, able to deploy quickly and restore damaged systems before prolonged outages occur.
The risk of blackouts has become a central fear among residents, especially after past attempts by Israel’s enemies to hit energy assets during recent conflicts.
During the war with Hamas, Neuman said facilities linked to the corporation were targeted, though most attacks were intercepted or resulted only in falling debris.
“Attempts of one kind or another were thwarted,” he said. “We mainly dealt with interception debris, without significant damage.”
Still, lessons from those incidents prompted further fortification of key power-generation sites, ensuring that even direct hits would not cripple supply for long periods.
Beyond infrastructure, Neuman emphasized the human factor. Israel’s reserve system, long regarded as a backbone of national defense, remains highly mobilized and responsive.
He praised reservists who returned from overseas when called, describing them as dedicated and prepared despite the strain of repeated activations.
“The reservists are serious people,” he said. “In times of uncertainty, they are present and ready.”
Much of this preparedness is coordinated through the Home Front Command, the branch of the Israel Defense Forces responsible for civilian protection, shelters, and emergency management.
Neuman noted that beyond formal battalions, municipalities now operate first-response teams trained in rescue and extraction operations. These local units provide immediate assistance before national forces arrive.
“Commanders know one another personally,” he said. “When everyone is trained and familiar, cooperation is excellent. Each person knows their sector and strengths.”
These teams are stationed inside cities, allowing rapid deployment to multiple neighborhoods. Equipped with tools, food supplies, and logistical support, they can remain operational for extended periods if large-scale attacks occur.
Yet Neuman acknowledged that the road to today’s readiness was shaped by painful experience.
He recalled the national shock following the October 7, 2023 massacres, when militants infiltrated Israeli communities and exposed weaknesses in early response systems. “In those first moments, we all felt discomfort wearing the uniform,” he said. “There was disappointment.”
On that day, Neuman’s own family felt the strain. His youngest daughter remained alone at home in the most protected space available, as the house lacked a safe room. Meanwhile, he and his eldest daughter were called into service.
“I went to the district command center, and she went to her brigade,” he recalled. “Like many families, we split up to respond.” He believes that episode forced a fundamental reassessment of preparedness and planning.
“The October 7 event must push us out of the box,” Neuman said. “We must not rely only on routine patterns. We need creativity and sophisticated thinking.”
In practical terms, that means updating tactics, improving coordination between agencies, and remaining open to unconventional solutions. But for Neuman, resilience ultimately begins at home.
He urged civilians to understand the difference between shelters and assembly points and to follow official guidance during missile alerts. Quick movement to protected spaces, he said, can mean the difference between life and death.
“Under a missile threat, we shelter in a safe room,” he explained. “Make sure everyone arrives and the steel window is properly closed.”
He advised families to keep modest emergency supplies on hand: bottled water, batteries, flashlights, canned or dry food, and, most importantly, a basic first-aid kit.
“Many injuries happen on the way to the safe room,” he noted. “If someone is hurt, you need the ability to treat them without going outside under fire.” Despite the dangers posed by regional tensions, Neuman maintains that fear should not dominate daily life.
Instead, he argues that preparedness and calm behavior are the strongest deterrents against chaos. “Resilience is our most important weapon,” he said. “If the public is organized and knows what to do, the system holds.”
As uncertainty continues to hang over the region, Israel’s emergency planners appear determined to ensure that even in the face of escalating threats, daily life can continue with minimal disruption.
For Neuman and his teams, readiness is no longer an abstract concept but a daily responsibility — one measured not only in defenses and drills, but in the confidence of the civilians they are sworn to protect.