Strong, resilient and ready: Appreciating MDA, Israel’s emergency services during 600 days of war

Amid the carnage of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in 2023, Israel’s emergency services not only saved lives but also sacrificed some of their own. Now, 600 days into the Iron Swords War, the facts and figures reveal just how vital our essential services are – and the extraordinary lengths many go to in order to save lives.

Israel’s national ambulance service, Magen David Adom (MDA), is entirely funded by public donations. It is fueled by individuals who are willing to give financially but also of their time and resources.

Magen David Adom means the "Red Star of David" in Hebrew and is like the Red Cross. However, unlike the international aid organization, MDA can hardly be accused of passivity or inaction.

According to their own figures, MDA call centers processed over 21,600 emergency calls on Oct. 7, more than five times the usual volume for a Shabbat (Saturday). The entire fleet of 1,430 ambulances and intensive care units was immediately mobilized, together with hundreds of emergency motorcycles, 3 helicopters, command and control vehicles, and 24 mass casualty response vehicles equipped to deploy mobile treatment sites.

Thirty-eight personnel who attended the scene of the massacre and other emergencies since the mass terror attack have lost their lives doing so. While the devastation has impacted the whole of Israeli society, first responders witnessed and experienced the horrors firsthand, sacrificially endangering their lives in order to save others.

Now MDA is expanding its services and infrastructure to make sure Israel is well prepared for future large-scale emergencies. The fleet now boasts hundreds of new vehicles, including ambulances and mobile intensive care units, many of which were donated by generous supporters of Israel. For example, two vehicles were donated in memory of two believers who lost their lives as a result of Israel’s war with Hamas, and display Bible passages on the side of the ambulances. 

An additional 723 paramedics and 5,000 civilian volunteers have joined emergency response teams to strengthen nationwide efforts. Meanwhile, more than 500,000 people across the country have received CPR and first aid training through 17,000 sessions held nationwide.

MDA vehicles and stations are a common sight in Israel, especially during blood drives, and many are willing to donate. Israelis often pull together in times of emergency and MDA has been a conduit for those who want to help and donate in this way.

On the day of the Hamas invasion and terror attack on Oct. 7 – dubbed by Israelis as "the Black Shabbat" – more than 3,445 blood units were collected and processed. The following year, in 2024, approximately 280,180 units of blood were collected, processed and distributed for 98% of Israel’s transfusions. The Marcus National Blood Services Center also introduced field-ready whole blood transfusions and freeze-dried plasma, dramatically lowering battlefield mortality.

Similarly, MDA facilitates a milk bank, enabling mothers to donate breast milk to help feed babies whose mothers were injured, kidnapped, or on active duty. Some 500 gallons of breast milk are stored in refrigerated conditions underground, ready to be distributed to whoever needs it; Israelis from all walks of life and all backgrounds, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Druze, it doesn’t matter. The source of the milk is not labeled, meaning that communities are helping one another through this project, even in the midst of war and enmity. Since the outbreak of war, donations tripled, and some 3,340 liters of milk were collected from 460 donors. The donors are all happy for their milk to be given to babies from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 

In cooperation with volunteer midwives, MDA has also launched an initiative to dispatch professional, local midwives to assist women giving birth outside of hospitals, and has now recruited almost 200 volunteers.

Rather than wait for the next emergency, MDA is proactively bolstering civil emergency preparedness. The “Magen” (shield) project is a nationwide effort to prepare for emergencies and mass casualty events on the civilian front.

As part of the project, 800 Community Emergency Response Teams were established in high-risk areas. In addition, medical kits have been distributed to 15,600 civilians, including 880 doctors and paramedics.

As well as expanding to be better equipped to serve others, MDA is also taking active measures to make sure their own staff are properly cared for in the wake of traumatic events. Enhanced emotional support is being provided for EMS personnel, and they are now almost doubling the reach of their PTSD prevention program.

All these initiatives and expanded programs mean that MDA is even more prepared to serve the nation of Israel in the event of an emergency, no matter what may come.