The Palestinian Civil Defence (PCD) (Arabic: الدفاع المدني الفلسطيني) is one of the main branches of the Palestinian Security Services under direct responsibility of the

Minister of the Interior An interior minister (sometimes called a minister of internal affairs or minister of home affairs) is a cabinet official position that is responsible for internal affairs, such as public security, civil registration and identification, emergency ...

. The organization is responsible for emergency services and rescue in areas under the control of the

Palestinian Authority The Palestinian National Authority (PA or PNA; ar, السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية '), commonly known as the Palestinian Authority and officially the State of Palestine,

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 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) is the unicameral legislature of the Palestinian Authority, elected by the Palestinian residents of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It currently comprises 132 members, ...

. 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
/ref>

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.

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. 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

/ref>

References

{{reflist, 30em

External links

Official website
(Arabic) Civil defense Palestinian Security Services Emergency services in the State of Palestine