Schools across the country took part in a Home Front readiness drill on Monday, held to practice emergency procedures in the event of an earthquake. Colonel Efi Mashov of the Home Front Command said Sunday evening that the drill is part of this year´s theme of preparing students for the case of an earthquake. Such natural disaster preparedness is important, he said, "because the more they practice the more they will be prepared in real life as well."

Those who were on the ground floors of the buildings were asked to evacuate and gather in outdoor areas, while those on higher floors were asked to gather in safe areas within the buildings.

A similar Home front drill was held at schools across the country last spring, to simulate not only an earthquake, but also a missile strike on the home front. (© 1995-2011, The Jerusalem Post 02/20/12)