Israeli ambulance service prepares bolstered emergency teams for High Holidays

MDA has finalized its preparedness towards Rosh Hashana, which begins on Wednesday next week.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Updated: SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 23:24
Magen David Adom ambulances (photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
Magen David Adom ambulances
(photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
Magen David Adom is gearing up to cope with emergencies during the High Holy Days, when it every year registers a significant increase in calls to its 101 emergency number.
MDA has finalized its preparedness toward Rosh Hashana, which begins on Wednesday evening. The first-aid and ambulance service has called in additional manpower, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics and volunteers.
In addition, standby first responders will be praying in many synagogues, equipped with first-aid kits that include defibrillators, ready to provide medical treatment to anyone in and around the synagogue. MDA helicopters, in northern and southern Israel, will also be on standby.
Some MDA personnel will even be equipped with a shofar to blow for those manning stations around the country.
To prevent accidents, MDA called on parents to pay attention to children being hosted in unfamiliar environments (such as homes of family and friends) that could be dangerous. For example, they might encounter windows without bars and unfamiliar streets. Make sure to keep children away from high windows and other high places from which they could fall.
As the roads are always crowded with families driving to and from holiday dinners during late hours, make sure to freshen up before leaving on a long ride, avoid alcohol consumption before getting in the car, and if the driver is tired – pull over safely, rest and freshen up.
Do not leave young children in parked cars even for a moment.
While running errands for the holiday and with your return from holiday dinners – make sure all children get out of the vehicle. Pay special attention to children who tend to fall asleep in the car.
Avoid Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infections, which could be very harmful and even fatal, by leaving the cleaning of pond fish to the fishmonger.
Punctures by bones, fins and scales can cause the infections through the skin of the hands. Make sure to not let children under the age of five consume fish, as bones may be hiding in it. If you do serve children fish, make sure to carefully clean it of all bones.