Zaka and Ichud Hatzalah (IH) volunteers are already in position in Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah as thousands of mispallalim will be arriving each day ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Tens of thousands are expected to be in Uman over Rosh Hashanah.

Thousands are already there and visiting the tziyun of R’ Nachman, a situation demanding appropriate measures to accommodate them, part of the annual preparations that entail lodging, food, protection and of course a response to medical emergencies.

Zaka and IH are united this year, manning a central first aid clinic/emergency room, which acts as the on location emergency room. This facility is an emergency room in every sense of the word.

The commander of IH Galil region, Nachman Klein will be overseeing the clinic’s operations, working with tens of physicians, paramedics and EMTs from the two organizations. The facility is equipped with beds, surgical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and others equipment to permit treating most emergencies. The staff is also equipped to deal with psychiatric emergencies.

There is also a Frontal Field Command Unit which will be run by Zaka’s Shimon Grossman, and that will be manned with dozens of EMTs from both organizations. The personnel will be based in this unit but they will not remain stationary, rather they will take up position around the Uman complex, including all areas used by visitors.

The facilities detailed above will operate on full mode from erev shabbos through motzei Tzom Gedalia.

The first teams arrived earlier in the week and they have been operating on an ‘on call’ status since their arrival. The number of mispallalim increases as shabbos approaches. A large air lift of medical supplies is making its way to Uman as the final preparations for the massive EMS operation are in full swing.

There are also arrangements made that involved these organizations to provide security for the Breslov complex, as well as the agreement signed with divers, using local professionals  following last year’s tragic drowning of an avreich on yomtov.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)