PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY The Mesada Special Education School in Tel Aviv, Israel מקלט לבית ספר מעלה ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE MA ALE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL IN TEL AVIV A PROJECT OF THE TEL AVIV-YAFO FOUNDATION Meeting the evolving needs of the City of Tel Aviv with the establishment of social services, educational, cultural and environmental projects.
AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE MA ALE SCHOOL IN TEL AVIV WITH ONLY MOMENTS TO GET TO SAFETY; ISRAELI SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT IN THE SECURITY OF A SHELTER BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The need for protective bomb shelters to safeguard Israeli school children from the threat of missile attacks has become an urgent priority. Threats upon the lives of Israeli citizens have increased, coming from Israel s bordering countries (Lebanon, Syria, Egypt), as well as from Iraq, Iran. Almost daily there is the intimidation of missiles hitting Israel, originating from Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah terrorists in the north. Most concerning, in recent years, is the treacherous improvement in the assault weapons provided to terrorist organizations. These weapons, through missile launch, can reach almost every city in Israel. This high risk of assault places the civilian population of Israel in grave peril. It's no secret that all terrorist propaganda targets Tel Aviv as their goldmine target. Tel Aviv is home to half a million of Israel s population and the seat of industry, business, high tech companies, foreign embassies and international organizations. The municipality must ensure that every family residing in Tel Aviv receives the best protection available for their children during times of crisis. In 1951, the Civil Defense Law was established. This law requires that protective shelters be built in all homes, residential and industrial buildings, and schools. The public shelter is able to endure the blast and shrapnel from conventional weapons, as well as protection against chemical and biological weapons. For long spans of time, the urgency was to place shelters in the northern and southern peripheries of the country, while residents in the country s center had experienced relative calm. However, this situation suddenly changed after Israel was attacked by Scud missiles during the Gulf War: when missiles rained down on Tel Aviv. Recently, rounds of missile projectiles, sent by Hamas terrorists, were aimed at Tel Aviv, sending hundreds of thousands running to the bomb shelters. There is no time to wait. We must act now! The Israeli Home Front Command (HFC) and the Municipality of Tel Aviv have both worked together to make defensive measures a priority for the city. An important decision has been legislated that every unfit shelter (specifically in public locations and in schools) must be upgraded and equipped to meet all current HFC guidelines. This directive affects all of Tel Aviv s school bunkers built when the 1951 Civil Defense Law was enacted. Several of Tel Aviv s schools shelter facilities are old, dilapidated, and in a state of disrepair. Additionally, they have unhealthy asbestos ceilings, outdated air filtration systems, and lack appropriate sanitation facilities. These bunkers are not deemed a suitable shelter for inhabitants in the event of a catastrophe. They are a danger, rather than a place of safety. Parents need to know their children are safe. According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and the Home Front Command every educational facility, school and kindergarten must have a bunker or a secured room and every year the school must conduct simulations drills, demonstrating how long it takes and how rules were followed by students while evacuating to the bunker. Through these very serious practice drill situations, children learn what they must do in the event of an emergency. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME! Israel lives with this uncertainty day in and day out. We cannot afford to wait! It is imperative for us to work together and renovate these old shelters, in order to meet the requirements that have been legislated to keep our children safe. The renovated shelters will be reinforced with concrete walls and ceilings, thick flooring, airtight steel doors and protected windows. The shelter must also include a chemical air filtering systems. The walls, ceiling, and door of the shelter should withstand penetration by windborne objects or falling debris. Typically, shelters are stocked with basic emergency and survival items such as a flashlight, blankets, a first-aid kit, water, packaged food, and a simple toilet. Israeli Police inspecting a classroom damaged by a rocket attack. Emergency school safety shelters are an urgent safety precaution.
ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE THE CHILDREN PLAN: AN OUTDOOR OF TEL GYM AVIV, FITNESS ISRAEL FACILITY FOR THE NATIV SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOO Shelters must be ready and available when the warnings signal is sounded, announcing with its urgency for everyone to move into place. Students, staff, and nearby residents need to know they will be entering a safe haven, sheltering them from high impact projectiles, such as missiles, rockets and mortars, as well as shrapnel, chemical weapons, or enemy attacks from the air. School shelters are also commonly employed as everyday school activity rooms, during times of peace. Because children feel comfortable and safe utilizing their shelter area throughout the year, they will enter its door, and will not be frightened by the shelter in a time of crisis. Shelters provide safety and peace of mind for school staff, students, and parents. When the sirens blare and the children have only seconds to run for cover, it is comforting to know that there is a safe haven, just a few feet away. We must make certain, that every school shelter is safe and sound! Emergency air filtration system, such as the one illustrated above, will be installed in the school shelter. They are designed to offer protection in the event of a nuclear, biological, or chemical event. When properly installed, this system is capable of providing an adequate supply of filtered breathable air. This overpressure relieves the occupants from having to wear gas masks, enabling them to have a safe and comfortable environment. In case of a direct rocket or missile hit, the school emergency shelter will be saving the lives of Israeli children and their teachers. THE PLAN: UPDATE AND EQUIP THE EMERGENCY SHELTER FACILITY FOR THE MA ALE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL IN TEL AVIV The Religious Special Education Municipal Ma ale School, located at 19 Negba Street in the impoverished Hatikvah neighborhood of South Tel Aviv, is home to 107 students, ages 6 through 15. The children who attend the Ma ale School have been diagnosed with severe learning disabilities, ADHD, borderline IQ, and developmental delays. The current bunker at the Ma ale School was established decades ago, and the facility has been used as an additional classroom and storage space during times of peace. The necessary air filtration system in the shelter is severely outdated and sanitation facilities are not currently working. In addition, work is needed on the structural foundation to ensure concrete strength against hostile foreign objects. The site has been designated unfit to serve as a safety shelter and needs immediate attention and transformation. Because missiles continue to be launched, and alerts sounded, it is imperative to renovate the existing school bunker in order to provide a safe haven during these unsettling times, as well as during quieter peaceful times. The renovations will focus on: 1. Rebuilding and reinforcing the walls, ceilings and floors of the current structure 2. Installing a new air filtration system 3. Adjusting the electrical systems for emergency time use 4. Upgrading sanitation facilities 5. Sealing and painting of walls 6. Purchase of furniture and equipment: computers, games, books and small furniture. All shelter renovations will be carried out in accordance with Israeli Home Front Command requirements.
YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! It is our sincere hope that this shelter will never have to be used for its intended purpose. However, if crisis arises, the young children of the religious Ma ale Special Education School and their teachers will have a properly-equipped safe space to shelter them in times of conflict, and to gather them together in times of peace. THE COST The renovation of the school emergency shelter will include construction and concrete restoration of structural framework, upgrading the electrical and air filtration systems, painting, basic furniture and sanitation instillation, and application of waterproof sealing formula. The Municipality of Tel Aviv Yafo will match dollar-for-dollar 50% of the total cost of this project. TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT: $72,000 Matching Funds: $36,000 Requested Donation: $36,000 *** The Emergency School Shelter Will Be Named Per The Donor s Request ***
About the Tel Aviv Foundation The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation, chaired by Mayor Ron Huldai, partners with donors from around the world to meet the evolving needs of the City of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation has generated momentum to the city and proudly serves as a beacon of progress, elevating the city s quality of life through education, the arts, sports, social services, and the environment. Responsive and purposeful, the Foundation provides for the needy and creates opportunities for a better future for all the residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The Foundation was founded in 1977 and has established more than 500 projects to date, raising over $500 million worldwide. By matching contributions dollar-for-dollar and by allowing donors to designate their funds, the Foundation ensures accountability, promotes collaboration between donor and recipient, and strengthens the bond between the Diaspora and Israel. To learn more about the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation please visit: www.telavivfoundation.org