As is the case annually, Magen David Adom, one of Israel’s emergency medical service providers, is preparing for one of its busiest days of the year, Yom Kippur.

MDA reports “thousands of people” require the organization’s assistance during Yom Kippur, and as such, it will be increasing its manpower beginning on Tuesday, erev Yom Kippur through the fast day on Wednesday.

All stations will have an increased number of EMTs and paramedics standing by and additional ambulances will be in service. In addition, MDA ambucycle units will be responding to calls along with other on-call personnel. MDA personnel will also bring their response kits to shuls in many areas to provide an immediate response should the need arise.

MDA blood bank services are also working hard and once again there is a call to Israelis to donate blood as there is a shortage as is usually the case during Tishrei.

MDA reports its responds to an average of 2,000 calls nationwide on Yom Kippur, which includes calls related to people fasting as well as injuries from bicycle activities in Tel Aviv.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)