United Hatzalah’s letter to JUF

Our dear Chicago friends:

In horrific times like these, we want to share with you, with much gratitude, some of the work we’ve done. A lot of that work–is thanks to your support. On Shabbat morning, October 7, at around 9:20 a.m., United Hatzalah’s volunteers from Kiryat Gat were called out after two rocket attack direct hits. They treated victims and transported them to the hospital via United Hatzalah’s Kiryat Gat based ambulance.

Right after that, several groups of Kiryat Gat volunteers headed to the Kibbutzim–Kfar Azar, Be’eri, and more–and, along with 1,500 volunteers from all over Israel and accompanied by IDF personnel, entered these Kibbutzim while terrorists were still lurking, to rescue and treat the injured–both civilians and IDF personnel. They were the first on scene and saved many lives that day and the days that followed.

So many of these medics were trained through grants from the Federation. On that Shabbat morning, Kiryat Gat volunteers were instrumental in setting up field patient staging areas right outside the Kibbutzim. The injured were brought there for treatment and transported to hospitals. Many IDF personnel, including combat medics, arrived in the region without medical equipment, and we provided them with large amounts of equipment.

We continue to ensure high volunteer presence and fast response to all rocket and terror injuries as well as everyday emergencies. For now, United Hatzalah established and is operating a large war logistical station in Sdei Yoav. The establishment and operations are mainly handled by Kiryat Gat volunteers.

At this base we are handling and distributing tons of equipment for our volunteers, the IDF, and citizens of the Kibbutzim. We also have a mobile dispatch station there, overseeing efforts in the southern region. Kiryat Gat medics staffing mobile dispatch center. We are a part of the Kiryat Gat municipality meetings that are held twice a day for all relevant response groups, assisting in any way possible.

We have tragically lost volunteers in the line of duty, while others are recovering in hospital after being shot while trying to save lives. However, Kiryat Gat volunteers, among the rest of United Hatzalah, continue to provide lifesaving medical care within the partnership area and within the Gaza border region and help in any way they can.

Thank you–JUF–from the bottom of our heart.