ABOUT LES HATZALAH
Remember The Past. Plan The Future.
Today, the Lower East Side Hatzalah is recognized as a foremost volunteer ambulance service with over fifty active members who provide the community with professional pre-hospital emergency medical treatment and emergency ambulance transportation.
But at the time of its founding in 1972, it was merely a brainchild of several residents living in the Jewish community who were looking to assist their neighbors in times of emergency. As the demand for the Lower East Side Hatzalah's services grew, a secondhand ambulance was donated by concerned citizens and members began transporting patients to area hospitals, resulting in faster response times and more lives saved. And so began the impressive story of the Lower East Side Hatzalah.
These lifesaving services have always been - and will always be - offered at no cost to all who need it, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Indeed, when it comes to compassionate emergency care, the Lower East Side Hatzalah has it rooted deep in their community's history.
To continue providing the Lower East Side community with lifesaving emergency medical care, an aggressive new program has been implemented internally that capitalizes on the latest advances offered by modern technology to cut costs significantly - without slowing down response times or affecting the quality of care provided.
From creating a preventative maintenance program that will lower the cost of maintaining the aging ambulance fleet to implementing a medical supply tracking system for lowering prices paid for advanced life support medications to streamlining the response process by upgrading to a sophisticated dispatching system, the potential to save even more lives remains unlimited.
But these ambitious objectives can only be accomplished with the generosity of area philanthropists. Through the charitable giving by local corporations. And with the help of caring citizens who want to partner in the lifesaving work being performed by the Lower East Side Hatzalah. Join us as we continue upholding a legendary culture of care... one precious life at a time.
Our Culture
Upholding A Culture. Never Letting Others Down.
If there was one defining factor that fittingly captures the distinctive personality of the Lower East Side, it's the legendary culture of care that has permeated throughout the community for well over one hundred years.
As a place renowned for embracing broken immigrants seeking a better life; in the form of its globally-recognized financial district, where prominent companies proudly embark on charitable and socially responsible endeavors; and at the sacred soil of Ground Zero, where heroic men and women valiantly gave up their lives, the hallowed culture of the Lower East Side will forever be one of care.
The Lower East Side Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corps. has proudly embodied that spirit and culture of caring for over four decades. Join us by supporting our lifesaving work as we continue to uphold the special culture of care that so aptly characterizes the character of a place that America has come to cherish and respect... the Lower East Side.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
A Lifesaving Mission To Saves Lives. Every Day.
Featuring a skilled team of over fifty volunteer emergency medical technicians and paramedics who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the Lower East Side Hatzalah can galvanize members at a moment's notice via two-way radios and dispatch them to medical emergencies throughout the neighborhood.
The challenges faced by the Lower East Side Hatzalah are different that most other rescue agencies. For example, volunteers are equipped with two separate sets of medical equipment and oxygen tanks. One set remains in their apartments which allows them to respond to emergencies on foot in surrounding buildings; and another set which is kept in their personal vehicle for rapid deployment to surrounding areas. Ambulances are strategically situated for easy access and pickup by the nearest local member.
Being that all volunteers either live or work in the Lower East Side district, they are familiar with the cultural nuances and possess an intimate knowledge of the neighborhood, allowing for quicker and more efficient medical care.
This past year, the Lower East Side Hatzalah responded to more than 1000 emergency calls – many of which ended favorably, due to the quick response times of its experienced volunteers.
Being that the Lower East Side community is comprised of people who are diverse in culture and often have special needs - ranging from the elderly holocaust survivor population to local community residents to business executives commuting to the financial district each day - the Lower East Side Hatzalah places a particular emphasis on catering the needs of each individual patient... regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.
The Lower East Side Hatzalah has established contacts with local hospitals, such as Mount Sinai Beth Israel and NYU Hospital, to ensure that each patient is cared for both during and after admission. Because that passion for caring - and uniting one another - does not end after transporting a patient to the hospital. It begins.
THE HEROES
A Heroic Response On 9/11 That Will Never Be Forgotten
The supreme sacrifice of the 3,000 men, women and children whoperished on 9/11 will forever remain etched in the minds of people across the globe. But for the many volunteers of LES Hatzalah, those horrific memories remain infinitely close to home.
The initial ambulance to arrive at the World Trade Center immediately following the first plane crash on September 11th was an LES Hatzalah ambulance. By the time the second airplane crashed into the second tower, there were two-dozen Hatzalah-affiliated ambulances and more than 100 Hatzalah EMTs and paramedics actively treating patients at the scene.
At the south end of the Twin Towers, Hatzalah was the predominant ambulance service covering the disaster scene and transporting numerous victims, including injured firefighters and police officers. In the aftermath of 9/11, LES Hatzalah has implemented training exercises for members on Mass Casualty Incidents in conjunction with the FDNY, NYPD, OEM and FBI. Helping the people of New York City: it's our mission.
Some Fast Facts
about Hatzalah of the Lower East Side
"Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."Talmudic Literature
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Contact Form
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Mailing Address:
500 A Grand Street
Suite 4D
NYC, NY 10002 -
24 Hour Emergency Phone#:
(212) 387-1750
(212) 230-1000 -
Non-Emergency Phone#:
(347) 994-0380 -
Email:
leshatzalah@gmail.com
Hatzalah of the Lower East Side A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation