Who We Are

History

The idea of Magen David Adom started in 1915 when Dr. Michel Erlanger, a Jewish doctor from Luzerne in Switzerland, founded an association aimed at assisting captured and wounded Jews during the First World War.

In 1918, MDA was first established in Israel as an organization aimed at assisting wounded soldiers and the population in case of a disaster. This organization also had social welfare functions.

In May 1921, after the end of the First World War, the first MDA terminated its activities.

The modern history of Magen David Adom begins in 1930 in Tel Aviv. To fill an urgent need for first aid services, seven public-spirited men established a First Aid Society bearing the name Magen David Adom. The ‘headquarters building’ was a small store in the center of Tel Aviv and a single ambulance answered all calls. Very soon, similar branches were established in other towns.

Upon the declaration of independence of the State of Israel in 1948, the organization numbered close to 5,000 volunteers spread among 24 branches with 28 ambulances all over the country.

In 1949, Israel signed the Geneva Conventions. The same year, at the Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the Geneva Conventions (in their post World War II version), Israel suggested the addition of the Red Star of David emblem. Because this suggestion was not accepted, MDA was not able to become a full member of the League of National Societies as one of the conditions of recognition for a national society is use of one of the emblems (red cross or red crescent) provided for in the Geneva Conventions.

Although MDA is not yet a full member of the Movement, the Magen David Adom Law, passed in 1950, defines MDA as Israel’s national society and MDA cooperates fully with all components of the Movement. MDA’s mandate, under the Magen David Adom Law and By-Laws, is to carry out the functions of a national society, to maintain first aid, ambulance and blood services, to conduct training in first aid and pre-hospital emergency medicine, and to encourage training of volunteers in first aid, and basic and advanced life support.

Since 1957, MDA has participated as an observer in the General Assembly of the International Federation and the statutory meetings of the Movement.

Until 1979, MDA functioned essentially in the framework of local branches.

In 1980, MDA changed its structure to become a single nation-wide organization with stations spread through the country.

Today MDA is a centralized unit operating on a national layout.

Magen David Adom in Israel Today

Magen David Adom, Israel’s First Aid Society, has more than 1,200 paid employees including ambulance medics and drivers, doctors, paramedics, blood technicians, communication center workers and administrative workers as well as 12,000 volunteers whereby half of these volunteers are teenagers and young adults. The majority of MDA’s volunteers belong to a reserve force that can be called upon during disaster or national crisis.

Ambulances

MDA maintains an ambulance fleet of more than 800 modern lifesaving vehicles on call across the country, of which 20 percent need to be replaced every year.

Additionally, MDA’s 110 Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU’s) are equipped for the immediate diagnosis and treatment in cardiac and polytrauma emergencies. Staffed by physicians and emergency paramedics, treatment can be administered en route to nearby medical centers greatly increasing survival rate and reducing the likelihood of further trauma related complications.

MDA’s 3-Wheel Scooter ambulances provide fast first responder emergency medical care by being highly maneuverable especially in high traffic situations and have greater accessibility to remote locations where standard ambulances would have difficulty accessing. (The CMDAI is committed to adding at least twelve of these life saving vehicles to the 50 already in service.)

For the first time ever, MDA is adding Emergency Response Helicopters to the sky’s of Israel. These specially equipped units will carry the latest in life saving equipment and will be staffed by fully trained paramedics, further increasing the MDA’s life saving capabilities.

Blood Services

Magen David Adom is responsible for the collection and maintenance of more that 280,000 units of fresh blood each year which is collected solely from volunteer donors, without remuneration. MDA’s National Blood Services supplies 97 percent of the country’s total needs and 100 percent of the needs of the Israel Defense Forces.

MDA encourages all visitors to Israel to take the time to donate blood. A gift of blood is a gift of life.

Emergency First Aid Stations

Magen David Adom maintains a nationwide lifesaving network of over 100 Emergency First Aid Stations throughout the country. This expanding network of Emergency Stations is made possible through the generosity of the many MDA charitable support organizations throughout the world. Operating around the clock, MDA’s First Aid Stations play a vital role in saving lives every day of the year.

First Aid Training

Each year, more than 50,000 Israelis learn the basics of First Aid and resuscitation in courses provided by MDA’s First Aid Instruction Department.

All 7th and 8th grade students in the country’s schools are taught a 10-hour course in the fundamental techniques of First Aid. This, along with special courses for members of professions which must cope with emergencies in the course of their work, such as firemen, policemen, all drivers of public transportation vehicles, aircraft crews, teachers and tour guides, increases the ranks of those who can provide assistance during emergencies.

The most intensive training is given to MDA’s own personnel. Every ambulance driver must successfully complete an intensive 120-hour course in all phases of First Aid, including obstetrics. Frequently, ambulance drivers have been needed to deliver a baby en route to the hospital. The pinnacle of the instruction program is the strenuous and very thorough training given to MDA’s Paramedics who are trained to staff the Mobile Intensive care Units (MICU’s).

Volunteer Training

MDA provides comprehensive training to all volunteers willing to commit to a minimum of two years of providing direct assistance as part of an ambulance crew or in MDA stations, administering first aid to patients.

During the training program, volunteers learn cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, approach to patients, treatment of work and road accident related injuries, treatment of drowning and electrocution victims, treatment of infants and children and much more.

(Source: MDA Israel)

The idea of Magen David Adom started in 1915. - Archive Photos