Community Magazine August 2012

Helpful advice for calling Hatzalah If, Gd forbid, you need to call Hatzalah, you are likely nervous and maybe even frantic. Try to remember these bits of advice from Hatzalah members, to help make your call go smoother: 1. Stay calm! Talking a mile-a-minute will only delay response time. 2. Know your address and be specific about the exact location (cross streets, township, and other details that will help responders find the house). The faster Hatzalah can find you, the better! 3. Answer all the dispatcher’s questions as clearly and carefully as possible. This will help ensure the best care possible. 4. Don’t hang up until the dispatcher hangs up. 5. Make sure your address is lit and easy to see. 6. When calling at night, after you hang up, make sure you have all your lights on and have someone outside with a flashlight to flag down the Hatzalah responders. Additionally, Hatzalah urges the public not to hesitate to call if there is a chance that someone’s health or wellbeing could be at stake – even on Shabbat. certification exam. Anyone who passes the exam is then a certified EMT. To maintain certification, however, EMT’s must take 48 hours of continued education units (CEUs) – 24 hours of core studies, and another 24 hours of electives on varying topics related to emergency medical services every three years. CPR certification must also be renewed every two years. These requirements ensure that all certified EMT’s keep up-to-date on current procedures and protocols. A Rewarding Commitment While Hatzalah welcomes all qualifying volunteers into its ranks, membership does entail a serious commitment. As a more recently recruited Hatzalah volunteer David Belhassen cautions, “Know your priorities before you join [because volunteering will take up a big chunk of time], and always be willing to learn from veterans.” “It’s a great organization,” says Jersey Shore Hatzalah Coordinator Avi Abboud. “If you’re sincere and doing it leshem Shamayim (for the sake of Heaven), then jump in, but understand what you are committing to. Think long and hard about the commitment you are about to make and how much the community is relying on you.” “There is no such thing as a ‘bad time’” explains Hatzalah volunteer David Kushner. “Whether you’re praying on Yom Kippur or having Pesah Seder, if the call comes in and you’re the closest [to the emergency] – you go!” But Rabbi Seruya notes that “after doing it for many years, the responsibility becomes second nature.” “It’s a full time job but it is worth every minute,” asserts Max D., “knowing that we are helping to save lives and keep our community safe.” “We all know that doing missvot is why we are in this world,” explains Morris Abraham, “so we try to find a balance between family time and being available to help those who really need us.” Although at times it can be difficult for the families of Hatzalah volunteers, most members described their family as “supportive, appreciating what they are doing for others”. “It also sets a good example for the children, to see what we should be doing with our time,” adds Morris Abraham. The Unsung Heroes While everyone involved in this life- saving organization is truly heroic, not all volunteers receive the credit they deserve. In particular, Hatzalah’s ambulance dispatchers might be called the “unsung heroes” of the organization. Though they may appear IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AV 5772 AUGUST 2012 55