Meron, Israel – The sleepy little village of Meron has gotten used to the influx of half a million visitors during the Lag BaOmer celebrations. Behind the scenes, all branches of Israel’s emergency services prepare for the largest mass gathering of the year. From the United Hatzalah “Kupat Cholim Meuchedet clinic” with a commanding view of the area, United Hatzalah Galilee District Coordinators Nachi Klein and Gilad Hanoun directed the activities of over 240 volunteers spread out throughout the hilltop area. 2 ambulances, a TOMCAR ambutractor, the mobile command center and over a dozen ambucycles secured the area.
From 6:00AM on Friday morning [the 31st of the Omer], until 6:00AM on Monday morning [the 34th of the Omer], United Hatzalah volunteers from around the country worked shifts around the clock. Over 270 emergency calls were responded to. A majority of them were cases of people fainting due to the sheer mass of people crowding into the relatively small buildings. The prompt evacuation of these people was critical to prevent the situation from deteriorating and to allow for their prompt recovery. Additional minor injuries from falls and burns were treated in the field with only a small proportion requiring further treatment in a hospital. All suspected cardiac and stroke cases were evacuated to the hospital.
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One Response
Hatzalah-
We shouldn’t need them, but when we do, they are the best. Kol Hakavod!
P.S. People fainting from overcrowding? This is Meron, not Mecca. There is no religious obligation to be there, and certainly no justification for people being injured by the crowding.