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CNN Live At Daybreak
Israel Preparing for Possible Chemical, Biological Attack
Aired March 13, 2003 - 05:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As the Middle East gets ready for a possible war, Israel is preparing for a possible chemical and biological attack. That could come if Iraq launches one of its SCUD missiles at Israel, as it did in the 1991 Gulf War.
As CNN's Kelly Wallace reports, Israel is doing all it can to get ready for the worst possible scenario.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside the E.R., preparing for the worst, a simulation of a chemical and biological attack near Tel Aviv. Hospital workers dressed in protective gear rush to treat incoming patients. But no one helps this man. Cameras capture the entire drill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nobody comes because they're overwhelmed with too many activities to do. At one point someone will come.
WALLACE: This simulation center, just a year old, is the brainchild of Dr. Amah Taziv (ph). He says it provides hands on training Israeli military medics and err personnel did not receiving before the 1991 Gulf War. Outside the hospital, the decontamination center.
(on camera): Does it, is it actually working now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it depends. You saw it.
WALLACE: Ah, yes. So they will be basically water them down?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
WALLACE (voice-over): Showers where people exposed to chemical or biological agents wash off. The seriously injured placed on beds to be watered down. Dr. Ari Shamiss is deputy director of the hospital.
DR. ARI SHAMISS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SHEBA HOSPITAL: They're ready for everything, but we don't really think that something will happen here in this site.
WALLACE: But if there is an unconventional attack, a reinforced door inside the hospital will prevent any chemical or biological contamination from getting inside.
SHAMISS: If we seal this door, this whole compartment inside will be protected.
WALLACE (on camera): Something the hospital is doing now that it didn't do 12 years ago, it's setting up nurseries in bomb shelters like this one throughout the hospital grounds, so that employees can bring their kids to work in the event of an attack. And they're already training the kids on how to wear gas masks like this one.
(voice-over): The hospital has room for more than 1,000 children, so doctors and nurses will know their kids are safe while they themselves may have to face the unimaginable.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, near Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 13, 2003 - 05:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As the Middle East gets ready for a possible war, Israel is preparing for a possible chemical and biological attack. That could come if Iraq launches one of its SCUD missiles at Israel, as it did in the 1991 Gulf War.
As CNN's Kelly Wallace reports, Israel is doing all it can to get ready for the worst possible scenario.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside the E.R., preparing for the worst, a simulation of a chemical and biological attack near Tel Aviv. Hospital workers dressed in protective gear rush to treat incoming patients. But no one helps this man. Cameras capture the entire drill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nobody comes because they're overwhelmed with too many activities to do. At one point someone will come.
WALLACE: This simulation center, just a year old, is the brainchild of Dr. Amah Taziv (ph). He says it provides hands on training Israeli military medics and err personnel did not receiving before the 1991 Gulf War. Outside the hospital, the decontamination center.
(on camera): Does it, is it actually working now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it depends. You saw it.
WALLACE: Ah, yes. So they will be basically water them down?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
WALLACE (voice-over): Showers where people exposed to chemical or biological agents wash off. The seriously injured placed on beds to be watered down. Dr. Ari Shamiss is deputy director of the hospital.
DR. ARI SHAMISS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SHEBA HOSPITAL: They're ready for everything, but we don't really think that something will happen here in this site.
WALLACE: But if there is an unconventional attack, a reinforced door inside the hospital will prevent any chemical or biological contamination from getting inside.
SHAMISS: If we seal this door, this whole compartment inside will be protected.
WALLACE (on camera): Something the hospital is doing now that it didn't do 12 years ago, it's setting up nurseries in bomb shelters like this one throughout the hospital grounds, so that employees can bring their kids to work in the event of an attack. And they're already training the kids on how to wear gas masks like this one.
(voice-over): The hospital has room for more than 1,000 children, so doctors and nurses will know their kids are safe while they themselves may have to face the unimaginable.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, near Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
