07 Jul Help Catskills Hatzolah Help Klal Yisroel: An Exculusive Interview With Catskill Hatzolah Coordinators
Catskills Hatzalah is the largest all-volunteer Ambulance Service in the Catskills, providing premium quality prehospital emergency medical treatment and ambulance transport at no cost to all who need it. Catskills Hatzalah, a division of Chevra Hatzalah, was first established in 1983 to meet the growing needs of the summer residents in the Catskills. In 2003, Catskills Hatzalah expanded its operations to provide service year-round in Sullivan County.
FAST FACTS:
Catskills Hatzalah maintains a fleet of 13 state of- the-art ambulances that are equipped with specialized medical and rescue equipment specifically for the Catskills region
Numerous emergency calls require Catskills Hatzalah to transport patients to out-of-area hospitals that can extend transportation times up to 4 hours
Catskills Hatzalah maintains a sophisticated two-way radio system that allows for emergency communications covering over a 100 square mile radius that costs well over $125,000 each summer season
In addition to standard mechanical repairs and gasoline usage for each Catskills Hatzalah ambulance, the costs posed by auto insurance and equipment expenses total over $350,000 a year
The staggering budget of Catskills Hatzalah is funded solely by donations from loyal supporters – the Catskills division receives no outside support from any other organization or government agency
How does Hatzalah work upstate with members coming from all different parts of the tri-state area?
During the summer months, all the Hatzalah members that come upstate have the same privileges in the Catskills area that they would have in the city. The Catskills division is the seventeenth “neighborhood” of Central Hatzalah of New York City. The Catskills have an ever growing year round community as in Bloomingburg, Monticello, Liberty, in addition to the long established communities in South Fallsburg, Kiamesha and Woodridge. The vast majority of their activity is in July and August, when summer residents arrive. A plurality (possibly majority) of these residents live in areas covered by NYC Hatzalah ten months of the year. A similar proportion of the Hatzalah EMTs are New York City members, carrying New York City radios, so it is logical for dispatch to use this frequency. However, there are dedicated Catskills dispatchers, who are familiar with the camp, bungalow colony, and hotel locations in the Catskills. The Catskills dispatchers use C-BASE as a radio call sign, while other NYC dispatchers use H-BASE as a radio call sign. Catskills Hatzalah is constantly updating their fleet and equipment to provide the best available care.
How many Hatzalah members are upstate over the summer?
During the week, approximately 150-200. On weekends, approximately 450.
To which hospital does Hatzalah typically take someone?
The hospitals in Harris and Middletown were renamed the Garnet Health-Catskills for the Harris campus and Garnet Health for the Middletown Campus formerly known as Orange Regional. The Middletown location has the following notable specialties among others, Cardiac Cath Lab, Level 2 NICU, Level 2 Adult Trauma, and a designated Primary Stroke center. Between these hospitals and Ellenville Regional Hospital, we usually transport to the closest appropriate hospital.
How does one contact the Bikur Cholim if they are in one of the hospitals upstate?
There are Chesed rooms in all area hospitals. Bikur Cholim numbers are still the same, however due to the Coronavirus crisis the Chesed rooms are still closed, but kosher food and Shabbos packages are available upon request. The staff and security will know where to direct you. Chesed 24/7 from New Square services all three area hospitals. Their number is: 845.354.3233.
Which Rabbonim does Hatzalah go through when they have questions upstate?
The Va’ad Harabonim of Hatzalah, which consists of many different prominent Rabbonim and Dayonim.
If one has an emergency, how should one prepare for Hatzalah, especially at night and on Shabbos?
Call 718.387.1750 or 718.230.1000. Both numbers work with both 718 or 212. If you don’t have money, you can call collect or call the 800 number, which is good all year round: 1-800-387-1750. You should have the exact address, the exact town and cross section because a lot of the towns have the same street names. Stand at the road with a flashlight on to guide Hatzalah, even on Friday night. The calmer you stay and the more guidance you give Hatzalah, the better off the patient will be. Catskills Hatzalah responds to over 2,500 calls per year, has a fleet of 15 ambulances and over 450 volunteers.
How many calls does Hatzalah typically receive over the summer?
Over 2,000. The calls vary. The most prevalent calls are about children falling off their bikes, injuries from playing, or allergic reactions to bee bites or insect bites. We get calls about cuts and bruises, heart attacks, and women who have high risk pregnancies. We ask people not to come upstate if they are very sick or if they have high risk pregnancies. Although the hospitals cooperate with us 100%, they may not have the facilities and the capabilities of treating someone with these kinds of ailments. We then need to transport these patients with paramedics which may not be safe.
How is Hatzolah working this summer with Covid-19?
B”H it is quiet and we are davening that it stays this way. We are keeping a watchful eye and ready to respond if C”V the need arises.
If someone chas vshalom gets Corona, which hospital is Hatzolah taking people to?
Every transport decision is carefully reviewed and many factors are considered before the destination hospital is confirmed. Again, we will transport to the most appropriate hospital in a safe manner. Visitation is still very restricted in many hospitals upstate. Garnet Middletown formerly Orange Regional still does not allow visitors for adult patients as of July 5th. Catskill allows 1 visitor in the Emergency Department at all times, as well as some inpatient units with restricted hours. Ellenville also allows one visitor in the ED. All visitors will be screened for Covid symptoms before being allowed in the hospital.
Does Hatzloah want people wearing face masks in public?
As per the Governors order, we ask and encourage everyone to use masks when and where required, when social distancing is not possible, especially while shopping like in Walmart or Shoprite etc.
Is there anything else that you would like to tell Country Vues readers?
Yes, again a reminder to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Pool safety, make sure the pools are fenced properly and there are no gaps that small children can crawl under. We already had two serious near drownings where tragedy was nearly averted! Make sure proper adult supervision is at the pool at all times. There should be a working phone at the pool preferably a RED emergency phone, especially C”V in the event of a Shabbos emergency at the pool. Another hazard we noticed is unlocked coffee rooms in shuls with hot water urns accessible to children. They have caused very serious burns to little children. Please take caution! Every summer, we respond to serious calls involving young drivers driving golf carts and ATVs. We are now seeing many injuries involving HoverBoards and Segways. This week alone, we already had several serious calls involving HoverBoards and Segways resulting in serious injuries requiring surgery.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES:
DISPATCHER: FIELDS EMERGENCY CALLS
When an emergency call is placed to Catskills Hatzalah, the dispatcher is the one that answers the phone and coordinates the response by available members via a computerized HCAD dispatch system. Every Catskills Hatzalah dispatcher is familiar with the over 1,000 square miles of upstate roads, colonies and camps that comprise the Jewish vacation areas, which maximizes emergency response times and minimizes delays.
EMT: PROVIDES BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
Also known as Emergency Medical Technicians, EMTs can provide patients with basic life support care, such as maintaining an open airway, breathing and circulation, providing CPR and cardiac defibrillation when necessary, controlling severe bleeding and preventing shock. Every Catskills Hatzalah EMT is equipped with specialized medical equipment and an oxygen tank which is kept in their personal vehicle for rapid deployment.
PARAMEDIC: PROVIDES ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT
Every Catskills Hatzalah Paramedic is trained to provide pre-hospital advanced medical and trauma care. They can perform a variety of medical procedures such as obtaining IV access, cardiac monitoring and other advanced techniques and assessments. Most importantly, Catskills Hatzalah Paramedics can administer a variety of emergency and life-saving medications that regular Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) can’t.