“What are your ultimate goals for United Hatzalah,” I ask.
“I would love to have our numbers move from 2,100 volunteers to 3,000 and to double our current fleet of 230 ambucylces. I would also like to shave the response time down to 90 seconds throughout the entire country, with Hashem’s help.
“What is standing in the way of you reaching your goals?” I ask.
Eli shrugs. “Only money. Our annual budget is 7 million dollars. We have a list of over 450 individuals who want to join Hatzalah right now and all we need is the funding for their training and equipment.”
I wonder, “What are the most critical pieces of lifesaving equipment and what are their costs? Which one actually saves the most lives per year?”
Eli answers, “Ambucycles are by far our greatest assets. It’s sort of an ambulance on two wheels. These motorcycles are light-weight, equipped with all of the tools that a typical ambulance has (other than transport capabilities) and can weave in and out of heavy traffic rapidly. They cost a fraction of a typical ambulance – $26,000 vs. $126,000. Each ambucycle responds to an average of 720 emergencies per year. They can be dedicated in memory of a loved one or as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Defibrillators are also crucial pieces of equipment. I have seen people come back from the brink of death when the electrical charges are applied to their still hearts – literally ‘tchias hameisim.’ These cost approximately $2,500.”
Eli smiles and surreptitiously checks his phone again. This guardian angel’s time is valuable and though he acts as though he has all the time in the world to talk, I sense that he is eager to return to his life’s mission. I gratefully thank him for his time and escort him to the door, my mind filled with wonder that a single man, filled with determination, can accomplish so much in a single lifetime…