Magen David Adom on the Recent Storm: Past Lessons Were Learned

Magen David Adom on the Recent Storm: Past Lessons Were Learned

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Illustration image (123rf)

Following the recent storm the MDA (Magen David Adom, an Israeli medical emergency service) intends to acquire snow-plowing kits to be installed on the organization’s special vehicles, which were deployed over the weekend in order to support medical emergency teams and deliver humanitarian aid.

MDA has already contacted the American supplier of the snow kits, which will add snow-plowing capabilities to the organization’s support vehicles. This according to Asi Debilanski, Director of Special Projects at the MDA. The service received over 7,000 calls during the three days of the storm. All models of ambulances, medical emergency vehicles, jeeps with off-road capabilities (Mitsubishi Pajero, Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Suburban) too part in the wide-scale response.

Eli Bin, MDA CEO, told iHLS that the organization was ready for the story. Over the last few years MDA prepared for several scenarios, one of them defined as “handling disabled infrastructure and transportation capabilities”. Those were the lessons learned from last year’s storm, the Carmel fires and the Cast Lead and Pillar of Defense operations. Special vehicles, communication systems and medical equipment were purchased. “Most of the systems saw use over the weekend in Jerusalem, Tsfat, the Golan Heights and others. They were used support medical emergency teams, to help senior citizens, children and lonely people. Aid included warm clothing, radios, blankets and radiators. Obviously the first priority was saving lives,” said Bin.

IHLS – Israel Homeland Security

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Special Projects director Asi Debilanski added that MDA’s special jeeps allow for medical assistance while driving, which two casualties in each vehicle: One lying down and one sitting. Before the IDF’s ATCs arrives the MDA vehicles evacuated storm casualties to hospitals or ambulance pick-up areas. The MDA currently has a fleet of one Grand Cherokee, eight Pageros, five Chevrolets and other 4×4 ambulances.

MDA emergency call centers received hundreds of calls from drivers stuck on the roads on the first day of the storm, and according to MDA management all of them were dealt with. The MDA fleet of vehicles includes three-wheelers, which have proven to be very effective. An emergency medical aid, three-wheeled motorcycle, for example, was given to personnel on call. When an emergency call is received, according to procedure those on call closest to the location immediately head out on their motorcycle and medical aid. The motorcycle is especially effective in blocked urban areas or in narrow streets. The trained paramedic can effectively reach everywhere.

Another relatively new vehicle is the advanced T-2 Segway, also three-wheeled, which includes advanced resuscitation equipment. It is intended mainly for large-scale events such as parades, shows or sports games, where heavier vehicles can’t operate at full speed. Paramedics in the area can reach the trouble spot immediately on their Segway.

MDA managers concluded by saying that the organization’s top priority is to decrease response times and increase the capabilities of the medical aid teams, with the goal of saving lives.