About Hatzolah

Welcome to Chevra Hatzolah of Middlesex County

Hatzolah – Hebrew for rescue – is one of the largest volunteer ambulance services in the world.  Hatzalah’s two-tiered response strategy, using First Responders and ambulances, means that fully equipped and trained emergency care providers are at the scene, typically, within two to four minutes.

The secret to Hatzolah’s success is that Hatzolah’s volunteers work, pray, study, shop, sleep, and go about their ordinary lives while being constantly on-call.  They carry their two-way radios 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Since our inception, Hatzolah of Middlesex County has been directly responsible for saving  a great many lives.

Hatzolah is supported by its local community and donors like you.

When To Call

Hatzolah should be called for any medical emergency, 24/7, including on Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Yom Kippur. If you are unsure if Hatzolah should be called, make the call.

Below are some examples of medical emergencies for which Hatzolah should be called.

  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Fainting/Loss of Consciousness
  • Cardiac Emergencies
  • Choking
  • Diabetic Emergencies
  • Emergency Childbirth
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Change in Normal Mental Status
  • Stroke Symptoms
  • Burns
  • Trauma (amputations, lacerations, etc.)
  • OB-GYN Emergencies
  • Poisoning/Overdose
  • Missing Persons
  • Seizures
  • Slips/Falls
  • Fractures/Dislocations
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fires (after calling the Fire Dept., and only if there are injuries)
  • Car Accidents (after calling the Police Dept., and only if there are injuries)

There seems to be a tendency on shabbos or yom tov to search for a Hatzolah member that they are familiar with by going to their home, shul, or calling them directly on the phone, for something that they feel may not be an emergency on shabbos or yom tov.  This can result in significant delays in obtaining help and SHOULD NOT BE DONE.  It can literally be responsible for costing a patient their life.  The typical individual has no training to determine what may be a sign or a symptom of a true emergency.  Calling the Hatzolah emergency number is the most proper course of action both halachically and medically.

Hatzolah does not provide pre-arranged non-emergency transports. Hatzolah will, however, assist you in arranging such a transport.

Our Tools

State Of The Art Ambulances

We pride ourselves on maintaining a fleet of ambulances, fully stocked, and ready at a moment’s notice.

Radio Communication Systems

We use the latest state-of-the-art public safety radio communication systems to ensure that we can always answer the call for help.

The Best Equipment

We spare no expense ensuring that our volunteers have the best equipment available to save lives and provide the highest quality pre-hospital emergency care.

Life Saving Medications

We carry life-saving medications, and ensure that our volunteers stay up-to-date with all emerging treatment guidelines and protocols

… all for YOU!

Testimonials

“When the people that my father davens with walked into the room, I knew that everything would be okay”

“I wanted to refuse transport to the hospital. B”H they convinced me to go in.  The hospital found that the main artery of my heart was greater than 95% blocked.  Had I danced at my daughter’s wedding the next week without having gone in, I would have had a heart attack right at the wedding”

“If it weren’t for Hatzolah, my son would not be alive today”