In November 2003, the first search and rescue company of the Home Front Command – the Shavit Company – was established, in order to fill the need for a large operational search and rescue force that would be available at a moment’s notice.
The successful experience with Shavit Company brought about the establishment of two additional companies, Hetz and Rotem.
The soldiers of these companies are grade 03 infantry servicemen, graduates of the Search and Rescue course, and skilled in the fields of infantry, ABC (atomic, biological and chemical) events, first aid, hand-to-hand combat, and more.
The fighter are all at A+ fitness level, and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The ongoing activity of the companies focuses on operational employment, training and exercises, in order to maintain operational ability. The existence of these companies lifts some of the burden off the shoulders of reserve soldiers who were the ones who undertook operational employment in the past.
The companies are quickly moved to every mass disaster instance in Israel or abroad: earthquakes, conventional and unconventional terrorism, hazardous materials events, etc.
Additionally, the Search and Rescue companies help out in operational activities in the territories as breaching teams for infantry forces.
Since being established, the companies have engaged in many operational activities in Israel and abroad:
Shavit Company
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The car bomb explosion at the Taba Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2004
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The train and truck collision near Kibbutz Revadim on June 21, 2005
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The disengagement plan through August 2005
Hetz Company
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The car bomb explosion at the Taba Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2004
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The collapse of the post at the Philadelphi Axis on December 12, 2004
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The train and truck collision near Kibbutz Revadim on June 21, 2005
Rotem Company
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The train and truck collision near Kibbutz Revadim on June 21, 2005
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The disengagement plan through August 2005