The Israeli MDA Fleet of Vehicles

The Israeli MDA Fleet of Vehicles

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Magen David Adom (MDA) is an Israeli medical emergency and rescue service. The MDA uses many kinds of vehicles, allowing medical teams to quickly reach any location.

Photo: Shlomi Asulin, MDA Spokesman's Office
Photo: Shlomi Asulin, MDA Spokesman’s Office

MDA CEO Eli Bin established the special projects division, headed by Asi Duvilanski, which significantly expanded the organization’s fleet of vehicles. It no longer includes only “vanilla” ambulances, now there’s a wide variety of vehicles used to save lives and provide an example to similar organizations worldwide.

The Wish Ambulance. This unique vehicle is used by the MDA to treat patients who remain in contact with the organization even during, or after, their hospitalization. They are usually cancer patients or patients suffering from terminal illnesses. The vehicle is equipped with a defibrillator, pumps, needles, LTV respirator, medicinal refrigerator and a wheelchair.

Photo: Roy Angel, MDA Spokesman's Office
Photo: Roy Angel, MDA Spokesman’s Office

The “Jeepbulance” – Supervisor Mitsubishi Fajero. An off-road vehicle used for incident command, traffic accident rescue and complex and harsh terrain. It includes a defibrillator monitor, oxygen system, resuscitation equipment and a GPS communication system.

Off-road vehicle – Chevrolet 4×4 Suburban. With the full ambulance equipment package, intended for incidents requiring crossing harsh terrain. Weighs 4 tons.

Photo: MDA Spokesman's Office
Photo: MDA Spokesman’s Office

Command and rescue 4×4 vehicles – intended for use in muddy areas, difficult agricultural terrain, during snow or floods and for accessing derailed or damaged passenger trains. Includes command and control computer systems.

IHLS – Israel Homeland Security

District command vehicle – Mercedes Sprinter 518. Intended for top MDA officials on incident command missions, allowing easy access to real-time information and communications with other first responders. Includes a command and control system, workstations for ops and call center personnel, an outer camera, and satellite and cellular communication systems.

Photo: Bar-El, MDA Spokesman's Office
Photo: Bar-El, MDA Spokesman’s Office

Emergency medical service moped – 500cc. Intended for use on jammed and crowded roads, in order to reach incident locations quickly. The mopeds include a resuscitation kit and medical equipment. The paramedic provides basic treatment until an ambulance arrives.

Segway. Used for quick movement on crowded sidewalks and during large-scale events such as public funerals and protests. One model is a two-wheeler with resuscitation equipment, and the newer T3 model – a safer, three-wheeled vehicle. It includes resuscitation, respiration and medicinal equipment, can reach up to 20 kmh and pass through relatively narrow gaps.

Mobile command center operation training. Photo: Alon Rizkan, MDA Spokesman's Office
Mobile command center operation training. Photo: Alon Rizkan, MDA Spokesman’s Office

An electric ambulance used for emergencies in sports stadiums. This new vehicle is produced by Evergreen and assembled in Israel by Metro. It remains on standby while soccer games are conducted, reacting immediately to any incident. It includes advanced resuscitation equipment.

Advanced mobile command and control center, the most advanced of its kind in the world, built especially for the MDA and used to save lives during national emergencies, when communication infrastructures fail. It’s based on a Duff chassis, assembled in England and includes unique cameras, communication and network systems, a debrief room and an outer strategic command post.