Nurit Greenger
The
Mount Carmel forest fire disaster began on December 2nd 2010 at about 10:30 AM,
Israel time. It was the deadliest forest fire disaster in Israel's history that
started on Mount Carmel range just south of Haifa. The fire that spread
quickly, consumed much of the natural forest and claimed the lives of 44 people,
a driver and 37 Israel prison service officer cadets, three fire fighters and
three police officers. Among the dead was fire fighter Danny Hayat, age 35, who
survived broken hearted pregnant wife, Hofit, two sons, Koren and Itai, parents,
Batsheva and Moti, a younger brother and sister and a special fire fighters'
unit he founded. And the nation of Israel in shock. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Carmel_forest_fire_(2010)
| Carmel Fire |
While on an official visit in the United States, this
week, I was given the privilege to have a heart to heart interview with
Batsheva, Danny's mother. Here is what she has told me, some we heard already
and some
not yet.
Moti
Hayat, Danny's father, comes from a large family of thirteen children and his
mother, Batsheva's family was blessed with seven children. Batsheva is an
elementary school teacher. Danny was their first born, the first grandchild on
both sides.
Danny and Hofit were married nine years before the
horrific day when Danny's life was cut short.
Danny
loved the Carmel mountain ridge and was very familiar with its terrain. He and
Hofit knew they were expecting a daughter, today two and a half year old. Two
months before the expected birth they already prepared a name for the baby
girl, Ellah, named after the tree Ellah, among the most common indigenous trees
growing on the Carmel ridge; also the name means God is for her.
Where
did Danny get his love for nature? From his mother who taught her
children to love the outdoors of all its aspects.
When
Danny joined the fire fighters' force, he founded a special unit its expertise
was rescue operation from rivers, ravines and cliffs. Danny received his training and skill in France
and upon his return he became an instructor in this particular rescuing filed.
He often took his unit to train on the Carmel.
| Danny Hayat in action |
That
horrific day Danny, who lived and worked in the Afula, a town in the Jezreel
Valley, received the call as the fire begun. He and his friend and colleague Uri
Samandiev arrived at the fire scene with their fire truck
an hour later.
They
were on the road going up the mountain working to prevent the fire from
spreading and
reaching the road so that cars could not travel on it. They were heading for
the Damon prison when they caught up with police officers in their cars, cowboy
farmers, a nature photographer and a bus with 37 prison guard
cadets. They all encountered a huge fire wall that did not allow them
to proceed with their escape travel. As they tried turning the other way,
hoping that the fire has not reached there yet, they encountered another fire
wall. Within seconds the wind that blew from all directions caused the fire to
engulfed them from all directions pushing, spreading and fueling the fire which
trapped all of them and consumed them in no time.
Danny
was working the hose attempting to rescue some. He managed to save the life of
the photographer and three of the prison cadets when he wet their cars which
allowed them the
get out of the fire trap.
All
others were burned in front of Danny's eye who was already 80% burnt. With his
last drop of energy he
got into his fire truck that rolled down 300 meters; another fire truck picked Danny
up and brought him to the Rambam Medical Center where he fought for his life
for sixteen days to no avail.
Batsheva
and Hofit are full of gratitude and in owe with Keren Hayesod - United Israel
Appeal, Mudi Zandberg, World Chairman, that accompanied then from the moment
Danny was hospitalized. The organization assisted
in purchasing skin graft from overseas sources
in the endless attempt to save Danny's life. Also they helped building the memorial
site for the dead on top of the Carmel mountain, today, a pilgrimage site.
| Memorial to the victims of 2010 Mount Carmel fire |
Do
you blame anyone? I asked Batsheva.
"No,"
she says. "The human being cannot fight nature."
When
Hofit and Batsheva heard of the fire disaster in Arizona
that consumed the lives of 19 fire fighters they felt the urge to help. The
American tragedy was theirs too; it returned them to their difficult days and
they identified with the families of the dead and wanted to be with them and
strengthen them, cry with them and be part of their sorrow and grief. They addressed their wish to Keren
Hayesod and prime minister Netanyah, both approve and backed their idea and
wish.
The
private human visit to Arizona was made possible, a meeting between nations,
identifying with the American nation and its pain and paying gratitude to the
American people who were first to help Israel in its predicament
sending the first Super Tanker to extinguish the fire.
While
in Prescott, Hofit and Batsheva were wrapped in love and the warmest reception
given to them by the mayor, the governor and congressmen.
They
are also full of gratitude to the Israel consul general in Los Angeles its
staff accompanied them from the moment they
arrived on America's soil.
What
have you achieved that is the most important to you? I asked.
"The
best public relations Israel could obtain," replied Batsheva. "But
now my next wish and dream is to be instrumental in establishing cooperation
and collaboration between the fire fighters of Israel and
the United States who have much more experience than their Israeli
counterparts."
After
the Carmel disaster prime minster Netanyahu revolutionized the fire department
services. He purchased a fire air squadron of 3-4 planes, and attached the
fires services to the Homeland Security offices along with the police and the
prison wardens. He poured millions of Shekel into training 1000 new fire
fighters, now added to the force and purchased new fire trucks and rebuild the
force.
Danny
Hayat was a 13 years veteran of the fire department services. His mother and
wife came to America to strengthen their counterparts in Arizona who suffered the
same grief. Instead they were reinforced with the a huge hug and sympathy they
received from all whom they met.
After
Danny's passing his brother Ron left his studies at the university and have
joined the fire fighters' force. He now shares his life activities between his
love for soccer, playing for Hapoel Beit She'an as its most promising player and
his work as a fire fighter.
Danny's
sister is a practicing lawyer.
Danny's
wife Hofit is like a daughter to Batsheva and Moti. Danny's boys deal with the
tragedy, each in his way and according to their age. Ellah will know her father
from stories only.
Batsheva
wants her wish for cooperation between Israeli and American fire fighters to materialize so that
the friendly relations between the two nations grow, strengthen and expand. A
goal easy to achieve; after all the road to reach this goal has been paved
already.
| Hofit and Batsheva Hayat with Los Angeles fire fighters |
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