Citation

Ellis DY, Sorene E. Resuscitation 2008; 76(1): 5-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.resuscitation.2007.07.014

PMID

17767990

Abstract

Israel is a small country with a population of around 7 million. The sole EMS provider for Israel is Magen David Adom (MDA) (translated as 'Red Shield of David'). MDA also carries out the functions of a National Society (similar to the Red Cross) and provides all the blood and blood product services for the country. Nationwide, the organisation responds to over 1000 emergency calls a day and uses doctors, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and volunteers. Local geopolitics has meant that MDA has to be prepared for anything from everyday emergency calls to suicide bombings and regional wars. MDA also prides itself in being able to rapidly assemble and dispatch mobile aid teams to scenes of international disasters. Such a broad range of activities is unusual for a single EMS organisation.

Language: en

Keywords

Emergency Medical Services; Humans; Israel; Voluntary Health Agencies