Meteorologists expect the snow storm forecast to begin tomorrow evening and continue Wednesday morning to produce about half as much snow as the blizzard that struck New York two weeks ago. Should you or your loved ones find yourselves in an emergency situation, rather than take your chances with New York's 911 system you may want to call Hatzalah, the volunteer Jewish EMS service. Hatzalah's number for all five boroughs is 212-230-1000 (add the number to your cell phone's address book); callers and those in need do not have to be Jewish, and no one at Hatzalah will ask.
During the last blizzard 75% of 911 calls were not emergencies (needing to vent is not an emergency!), and snowbound streets were not accessible to ambulances, resulting in 45-minute response times, but Hatzalah ambulances managed to reach callers in ten minutes. Those 911 delays were responsible for at least two deaths, and anonymous sources inform this Examiner that the actual death toll was 40. Next time the city is snowed in or anytime you or yours find yourselves in a life or death situation, call Hatzalah.
For more NY Jewish Culture news and events see my recent articles.
For more info: David Cooper
Comments
L'chaim.
How does Hatzallah support itself?
This is a great service - it is in 5 boroughs - how large are they? Number of ambulances? Ten minute response is exceptional for NYC.
Thanks, Terry.
Hugh: They are a non-profit supported by donations.
Beverly: I don't know the precise number of ambulances they have, but it was sufficient to meet demand under emergency conditions.
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