Being prepared means the difference between panic and action. This guide covers personal and household readiness, go bag preparation, and the key Hebrew terms you’ll need to understand emergency communications.

Readiness Levels

Level 1 — Baseline (peacetime)

• Know where your nearest protected space is (MAMAD, shelter, or stairwell)
• Practice reaching it from every room in your home
• Keep emergency supplies stocked (see the Emergency Preparedness article)
• Ensure all household members know the plan

Level 2 — Heightened alert

• Move emergency supplies into your MAMAD or designated safe room
• Charge all devices and portable batteries
• Fill your car’s fuel tank
• Have your go bag packed and by the door
• Brief all household members on the plan

Level 3 — Active emergency

• Go bag with you at all times
• Follow Home Front Command instructions via radio, app, or TV
• Stay close to your protected space
• Limit unnecessary travel

Go Bag (תיק חירום / Tik Kherum)

A go bag is a pre-packed bag you can grab in seconds if you need to evacuate or relocate. Keep it near the entrance or in your MAMAD.

Essential contents:

Item	Hebrew	Pronunciation
Water (3L per person)	מים	MAH-yeem
Non-perishable food (3 days)	מזון לא מתכלה	mah-ZONE lo mit-kah-LEH
First aid kit	ערכת עזרה ראשונה	er-KAHT ez-RAH ree-sho-NAH
Medications + prescriptions	תרופות ומרשמים	troo-FOHT oo-mir-shah-MEEM
Flashlight + batteries	פנס וסוללות	pah-NAHS ve-so-le-LOHT
Portable phone charger	מטען נייד	mah-teh-AHN nah-YAHD
Battery-powered radio	רדיו על סוללות	RAH-dyo ahl so-le-LOHT
ID documents (copies)	תעודת זהות (צילום)	teh-oo-DAHT zeh-HOOT (tzee-LOOM)
Cash	מזומנים	meh-zoo-mah-NEEM
Change of clothes	בגדים להחלפה	bga-DEEM le-hakh-lah-FAH
Hygiene basics	ציוד היגיינה	tzee-YOOD hee-gee-YEH-nah
Emergency phone list (written)	רשימת טלפונים לחירום	reh-shee-MAHT teh-leh-fo-NEEM le-khee-ROOM

Additional items by household:

• Baby supplies: diapers (חיתולים / khee-too-LEEM), formula, wipes
• Pet supplies: food, carrier, medication
• Eyeglasses / contact lenses and solution
• Copies of essential documents in a waterproof bag
• Whistle (for attracting rescue attention)
• Dust mask or cloth face covering

Key Emergency Terms — English / Hebrew

English	Hebrew	Pronunciation	Notes
Siren	אזעקה	az-ah-KAH	Warning sound for incoming threats
Protected space	מרחב מוגן	mer-KHAHV moo-GAHN	General term for any safe area
Safe room (MAMAD)	ממ״ד	mah-MAHD	Reinforced room inside apartment
Shelter	מקלט	meek-LAHT	Underground or communal shelter
Stairwell	חדר מדרגות	KHEH-der mahd-reh-GOHT	Fallback shelter option
Go bag	תיק חירום	teek khee-ROOM	Emergency grab bag
Emergency	חירום	khee-ROOM	State of emergency
Evacuation	פינוי	pee-NOO-ee	Organized departure from area
First aid	עזרה ראשונה	ez-RAH ree-sho-NAH	Basic medical care
Red Color	צבע אדום	TZEH-va ah-DOME	Code name for rocket alert
Home Front Command	פיקוד העורף	pee-KOOD ha-OH-ref	IDF civil defense branch
Iron Dome	כיפת ברזל	kee-PAHT bar-ZEL	Rocket interception system
Interception	יירוט	yee-ROOT	When a rocket is intercepted
Impact	נפילה	neh-fee-LAH	Rocket landing — do not share location
All-clear	הותרה	hoo-teh-RAH	Permission to leave shelter
Instructions	הנחיות	hahn-khah-YOHT	Official HFC directives
Water	מים	MAH-yeem	Keep 3L/person/day
Food	אוכל / מזון	OH-khel / mah-ZONE	Non-perishable for 3+ days
Flashlight	פנס	pah-NAHS	Always keep batteries stocked
Radio	רדיו	RAH-dyo	Battery-powered for updates
Ambulance	אמבולנס	ahm-boo-LAHNS	Call 101 (MDA)
Police	משטרה	meesh-tah-RAH	Call 100
Fire department	כבאות	kah-bah-OOT	Call 102
Doctor	רופא	ro-FEH	Family doctor
Hospital	בית חולים	beht kho-LEEM	Emergency room
Blast door	דלת פיצוץ	DEH-let pee-TZOTZ	MAMAD blast-proof door
Handle	ידית	yah-DEET	Turn 90° to seal

Household Readiness Checklist

• All family members know the location of the nearest protected space
• Routes to the protected space are clear of obstacles
• Go bag is packed and stored near the entrance or in the MAMAD
• Emergency phone numbers are written down and distributed
• Home Front Command app is installed on all phones
• Battery-powered radio is accessible and working
• Water and food supplies are stocked and rotated every 3 months
• Batteries and electronics checked every 6 months
• MAMAD door, window, and seals are functioning (if applicable)
• Family emergency meeting point designated (if separated)

Communication During Emergencies

Official channels (in Hebrew and English):

• Home Front Command app — real-time alerts pushed to your phone
• 104 — HFC hotline (SMS+WhatsApp: 052-9104104)
• National radio — Galei Zahal (גלי צה״ל), Kan Reshet Bet (כאן רשת ב)
• TV — Channel 12, Channel 13, Kan 11

Important rules:

• Do not rely solely on your phone — batteries die, networks overload
• Keep a battery-powered radio as backup
• Follow only official sources — rumors spread faster than facts
• Do not share impact locations on social media (see OpSec article)