In order for different security forces to be able to communicate with one another, they need to define a common language. What usually happens is that security and emergency forces, operating in their own vacuums and from their own needs, develop their own unique names for locations and situations.
For instance, locals may call a nearby forest next to a gas station, “the forest”, police may call it “gas station north”, the army may call it “Hill 223”, and the ambulance service may call it “that sharp curve with all the accidents” – which can get all confusing if an emergency coordinator needs to send multiple emergency services over to the same location.
Furthermore, when you’re dealing with a transitory units that change locations often, such as in the army, you need something simple and quickly recognizable, so that when a unit gets transferred to a new location, it doesn’t need to spend too much time learning the local layout.
The IDF came up with a solution for Judea and Samaria. It’s not overly unique, simply some very large and recognizable road markers.
Each region in Judea and Samaria gets its own letter. Each section of the road, its own number.
If something happens, a civilian merely needs to contact the local security center at telephone number 1208 and say, “Firebomb near Ayin 216” and the army will know where to go.
To make sure civilians know how to properly report incidents, flyers were sent out explaining how to use the new system.
With one caveat.
The flyers explicitly says, don’t use these markers when communicating with the Israeli police.
The police are not on board with this project, and they won’t have any idea what or where you’re talking about.
Remember that part about developing a common language?
It seems that before different forces can develop a common language, they first have to be actually communicating with one another.
