(VIDEO & PHOTO LINKS AT END OF ARTICLE) With Baltimore Hatzolah having recently been formed and placed into operation, an unusual event took place approximately two weeks ago.

Baltimore Hatzolah Coordinators, along with Baltimore City Council Member Rochelle Spector, Baltimore EMS Division Chief Lloyd Carter, and Baltimore Fire Chief James Clack were all invited to the Boro Park Hatzolah Garage on 16th Avenue for a lunch attended by many NYPD, FDNY and EMS Chiefs.

The microphone was passed around the room from person to person, all heaping praise on the Chevra Hatzolah Organization. The Baltimore city officials sat with awe as they heard many NYPD and FDNY Chiefs talk about the amazing work Hatzolah does in NYC.

The highlight of the event was the speech delivered by Brooklyn South Chief Chief Joseph Fox, who told the Baltimore visitors of the NYPD’s great relationship with Hatzolah, and said that there is no better organization to work with then Hatzolah. “Any time and energy invested in working with Hatzolah is well worth it,” the Chief said.

The unique visitors were also given a tour of the state-of-the-art Hatzolah Dispatch Center, and witnessed first-hand at how Hatzolah fields over 100,000 calls each year.

In follow up to Hatzalah of Baltimore’s visit to Hatzalah of Boro Park and other New York City agencies, Hatzalah of Baltimore hosted an evening for Hatzalah members and Baltimore City officials this past week. In attendance were Hatzalah responders, dispatchers and board members. City officials included Baltimore City Fire Departments Chief Clack,  EMS Chief Henry, Deputy Chief Heinbuck, Captain Scarpati, Baltimore City Councilwoman Rikki Spector, Department of Aging John Stewert, representation from the Mayors office, City Council President, and the Commission on Aging.  City Officials echoed how impressed they were with the professionalism and dedication seen on a recent visit to Hatzalah of Boro Park. Officials mentioned that they were not only impressed by the fantastic lunch served by BP Hatzalah but also by the state of the art dispatch system, the high quality of care and the excellent working relationship with the FDNY and the NYPD.  While admitting that BP Hatzalah has set the bar high, Baltimore City officials affirmed their commitment to take whatever steps are necessary to reproduce the NY model in Baltimore.  Items that were discussed included ALS, transport, vehicle warning lights, and mutual training exercises with the Baltimore City Fire Dept.

The Evening was a great success and a huge Kiddush Hashem.

Hatzalah of Baltimore has a great deal of hakores hatov to Bernie Gipps of BP Hatzalah, Hatzalah’s Rabbi Mechel Handler, the FDNY, NYPD and all of the BP Hatzalah members who took their time to host the Baltimore contingent and show their outstanding system.

VIDEO & PHOTO LINKS: Click HERE for video footage of the Boro Park event, and click HERE for photos.