Dear Friends,
This month, we want to share an urgent and vital aspect of Magen David Adom’s work that often goes overlooked—the training, education and emotional well-being of MDA’s heroic medics.
Magen David Adom (MDA) is Israel’s national emergency medical service, renowned for its life-saving work and critical role in Israel’s health care system. With nearly 35,000 EMTs and pre-hospital emergency providers, MDA stands as the first line of defense in medical emergencies, whether it’s responding to a violent incident, a natural disaster, or a medical crisis. However, what truly sets MDA apart is its commitment to training and supporting the next generation of emergency responders—paramedics, youth volunteers, and even Resilience Officers who help protect the mental health of their teams.
At the core of MDA’s training programs is the paramedic training initiative. Paramedics are an elite group of medical professionals who undergo more than 2,000 hours of rigorous education to handle the most critical medical emergencies. This is over seven times the training required for most EMTs. Paramedics serve on MDA’s Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs), where they perform advanced life-saving procedures such as intubation and medication administration. As Israel’s needs grow, so does the demand for highly trained paramedics. MDA can only train a limited number each year, and as such, your support is vital. Sponsoring paramedic training not only ensures that MDA can continue to meet Israel’s emergency medical needs but also provides an opportunity for donors to be a part of the life-saving work. With a donation of $36,000, sponsors can fund the extensive two-year training required to certify one paramedic. In addition, sponsors will be recognized in the Marcus National Blood Services Center and receive periodic updates on the progress of paramedic training.
In addition to paramedics, MDA’s Youth Volunteer Organization plays a vital role in the organization’s mission. Comprising approximately 15,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 18, the Youth Volunteer Organization is a cornerstone of Israel’s health care system. These volunteers not only serve on ambulance shifts alongside EMTs and paramedics, but they also engage in life-saving activities such as conducting CPR and first-aid training for over 500,000 Israeli citizens each year. They are involved in organizing blood drives, collecting food for those in need, and even organizing holiday parties for families. Every year, a new cohort of 6,000 teens is trained, with each participant undergoing 60 hours of CPR, first-aid, and emergency scenario training. The Youth Volunteer Organization is responsible for nearly half of MDA’s volunteer base, providing a pipeline of future EMTs and paramedics as many of these teens go on to serve in MDA after their military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The program fosters leadership, community engagement, and resilience, with many graduates moving into leadership positions within MDA or in other fields. Sponsorship opportunities for the Youth Volunteer Organization are available starting at $2,500 for one youth volunteer, with the chance to sponsor groups of 10, 20, or even 40 volunteers.
But training the next generation of first responders is not enough. The mental health and wellbeing of MDA’s first responders are just as crucial to their success in the field. MDA’s Resilience Officer Training Initiative addresses the emotional toll of working in high-pressure, life-or-death situations. Since October 7, MDA’s personnel have been subjected to an unprecedented emotional and psychological burden due to the surge in violent incidents and the severity of emergency cases, particularly in high-risk areas like the Gaza Envelope and northern Israel. Responders who witness traumatic events are at risk of developing depression, anxiety, and PTSD. To combat this, MDA launched a nationwide initiative to train Resilience Officers who serve as the first line of mental health support for their teams. The Resilience Officers, who include senior paramedics, station managers, and regional directors, are trained to provide debriefing sessions after life-threatening events, offering responders a safe space to process their emotions and reduce the risk of long-term mental health issues. They also refer first responders to mental health professionals if needed. This initiative ensures that MDA’s personnel have the emotional support they need to continue serving their communities effectively. Sponsoring a Resilience Officer’s training costs $10,000, and donors who contribute will be recognized in the Founders Hall of the Marcus National Blood Services Center.
These three initiatives—paramedic training, youth volunteer development, and the Resilience Officer Training Initiative—are all interconnected, working together to ensure that MDA remains strong, resilient, and capable of responding to Israel’s medical needs at any time. From the courageous youth volunteers who will become tomorrow’s leaders, to the paramedics who provide critical care, to the Resilience Officers who ensure that MDA’s teams are supported mentally and emotionally, each of these efforts plays a vital role in maintaining the strength of MDA’s emergency medical services.
Your support helps to ensure that MDA can continue to protect and save lives, both physically and emotionally, through its dedicated volunteers and first responders. Whether sponsoring the training of a paramedic, funding the development of youth volunteers, or supporting mental health initiatives for MDA personnel, your contribution helps to build a safer, stronger Israel. Together, we can safeguard the wellbeing of those who dedicate their lives to saving others.
The time to act is now. Israel’s future depends on it.
If you’d like more information or want to get involved, please feel free to reach out to either of us, Yishai Mizrahi or Leslie Viselman, Co-Area Directors for AFMDA, at 561.288.5658 or via email at [email protected].
Your dedication means the world to us, and we are forever grateful for your continued support.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Leslie and Yishai
