A recent tragic event in our community shines a spotlight on a crucial communal issue, that for too long has gone unaddressed. The steady influx of families and burgeoning Monsey population has led to the creation of multiple new outlying neighborhoods. Unfortunately however, while these new neighborhoods enjoy a healthy growth and are regarded as full-fledged communities in many respects, they are heavily neglected with regard to Hatzalah. Let me list but a few key aspects in which the Hatzalah needs of these communities are severely underrepresented:
* There are no Hatzalah garages in the appropriate proximity to adequately service more severe or time sensitive cases.
* There is zero – minimal recruitment for additional members taking place in these neighborhoods.
* A general lethargy in response to the repeated requests to accept new members.
* No community members serving as Hatzalah coordinators that can informatively and advantageously advocate for these neighborhoods.
As the Monsey demographics have shifted, perhaps our perspective and approach should follow suit – and shift, to accommodate the Hatzalah needs of our community.
Perhaps now is the time to divide the region into separate zones and to factionalize Hatzalah by neighborhood. Perhaps now is the time to install new coordinators that are representatives of their communities with an understanding of their needs. Perhaps now is the time to allow the area Rabonim that lead and guide these communities to dictate the protocols and regulate their neighborhood Hatzoloh.
Let us be smart enough and responsible enough to discuss these changes out of foresight, rather than, chas v’shalom out of anymore hindsight.
A concerned community member
NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.
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55 Responses
Just curious, are there moderators on this site that filter the hit jobs or has this website become just like the others where everything goes? C’mon Yeshiva World, i thought you were better and had more class. I guess web traffic is down and you need sensational headlines to generate traffic.
How appropriate for the Nine Days to run a piece that will definitely help us rebuild the Bais Hamikdosh quickly. Shame on you and shame on your organization.
The truth is the writer is correct, i moved to Monsey 18 years ago, i heard then and hear now they refuse to take members from Brooklyn, they have no responsibility to cover calls etc.
I’m not involved but i wonder why the coordinators aren’t voted out?
I also wonder why the Rabbanim aren’t involved in the problem??
You should be ashamed of yourself for putting up such an inflammatory letter against a organization that’s one of the pillars in any community on a public forum, Lets get the facts straight! as someone that lives in one of the new areas i can attest there is no shortage in members nor in response time, They might have issues during the day which is a problem in every neighborhood and you wont solve the problems by taking in more members because last time i checked normal people have day jobs and normal people are the ones you want walking thru that door in time of need.
Disclaimer: I am not a Hatzoloah member nor do i speak for them, unfortunately i have needed their services so i felt it is a duty to speak up.
“Its one mans uninformed opinion’. True the boundaries of the frum community of Monsey or better said Rockland County is expanding at an extremely rapid pace. However, is the author ready to donate the land, legal fees, building, cost of additional rigs and equipment? Plus is he ready to commit to the training and time to volunteer …. or is he just throwing stones.
Is the “volunteer” willing to accept the tenets of the organization developed over the years and continuously amended to make Hatzoloh a viable and even an envious Ambulance Corp. Or will he “know better” and continuously be at odds with the system. Will he accept the directions of the Medical Director and live by the Psak of the Vaad HaRabonim of Hatzoloh of Rockland whether he personally agrees with it or not?
About new volunteers. Proper vetting is crucial. Like it or not Hatzoloh is an Emergency Medical Provider. Note the word medical! Not every person albeit well meaning, who wants to do Chessed can deal with the stress and horrors of emergency medical situations. You can’t force or nor encourage not even recruit a person into these positions.
The informed person knows that Hatzoloh of Rockland is totally aware of the additional demands for its service. Those who care to be informed know that resolutely and in response to the growing need Hatzoloh has been looking for additional property, members, and upgrading and enhancing the infrastructure over the past few years. BTW to the tune of many thousands of dollars.
Mr. Complainer are you a builder or destroyer? Is your outrage genuine or perhaps sullied for reasons only you know. Stop throwing stones, rather offer to help within the framework of the esteemed organization and its many dedicated volunteers
Monseyite1
you have no clue, you say people have jobs, true, but every other neighborhood manages to get members available during the day, why can’t Monsey?
@ohevsholom
This is the best time for this. Hatzalah in many neighborhoods (Monsey included) has become somewhat akin to an “exclusive boys club” accepting only those that have some connections to the almighty coordinators, or whom have been in the club for years.
The focus unfortunately has somewhat shifted from paitent care and excellent response time to politics and exclusiveness.
This DOES NOT MEAN, that Hatzolah is not a world class organization – it most definitely is. And as someone who has worked as an EMT for multiple 911 agencies I have an inside view on this – everyone should know what an amazing and splendid job Hatzolah does.
HOWEVER, just because Hatzolah is better than 911 agencies doesn’t give it the license to ignore new member applications without reason, no recruitment and no oversight by the rabbonim.
In summary, just because Hatzolah is the best, doesn’t give anyone (yes even you all mighty, all knowing and powerful coordinators) the right to not allow it to become better, quicken the response time and thereby improving patient care.
May we all be zocheh to not be swayed by kavod and power.
A Monsey Yid.
Those “in the know”, know that there are rabbonim furious at the leadership of Monsey Hatzolah. They have ignored them the past two weeks.
Now it’s plan b.
Next is plan c.
And yes, we already own property.
This isn’t a joke or s threat. This is dinei nefashos and we all know that no Rov paskened this for them.
Everyone knows this is all about power. Ask any member of Hatzolah. Time they get their act together
chesedname
Oh i know! every single neighborhood that is more of a residential one (I.E. Five Towns, Riverdale, Lakewood) has a problem with members during the day. You cant compare it to W, F , B where members work in the neighborhood.
INFLAMMATORY ?
Are you KIDDING me ???
1) Can you explain why Monsey has THREE Garages within approx 2 TWO Miles of each other, yet for Wesley Hill/Pomona its OK to be SIX Plus, Miles away from a Hatzolah Garage, or Airmont/Chestnut Ridge residents to be FIVE miles away from the closest garage
2) How come NYC Members who move to the area, become UNFIT to join Monsey Hatzolah, yes I said Monsey, Just because someone decided to change the name to Hatzolah EMS of Rockland, does NOT give it EXCLUSIVE rights, think of NYC Hatzolah, B, W, F, CH, Q, K, SI RL,…..
3) It’s HIGH time for Hatzolah of Pomona, Chestnut Ridge to open a local Chapter, under a UNIFIED dispatch just like current arrangement with Monsey/New Square.
THANK YOU YWN, for publishing this op-ed.
Re: Concerned Citizen1992,
I’m sorry to say that you are misinformed. Speak to the communal leaders in the area and you will find that what i write below is true.
Rockland Hatzolah is amazing and does great work. However there is much room for improvement, especially in the outlying communities.
It’s not about one individual, it’s about the Kehila.
Funds: the state gives a few million (public record) and they bill insurance for every transport.
If they are lacking funds, why did they just upgrade the radio system to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars? Just so others should not be able to listen in and record the horrible response time!
Land: multiple people have offered the temporary use of their private land until a permanent solution is found.
Tenets: the community is very diverse. There has to be more Rabonim brought on board to represent this diversity.
Volunteers: it is a known fact that there are plenty of qualified, experienced men who have applied but were turned down. Even at least 5 PAs who have experience as EMT or Paramedic. This is in addition to at least 6 EMT’s in the local area.
Do you know that the closest Ambulance (parked at 306 and Grandveiw) to parts of Pomona Heights is a minimum of 14 minutes with lights and sirens?!
Do you know that on a recent poll, the average response time for a first responder in the Pomona area is 8-12 minutes?
Many people have started calling 911 as 1. there is usually an ambulance parked near exit 13 of the Palisades which is 2 minutes away. 2. there are some 911 volunteers who live in the community who are usually available that can respond quickly.
Do you know that there is currently only 2 Hatzolah members in Pomona Heights that covers over 150 families?
They should have a new branch open up under the local Rabonim in the new communities, just like in the city where they are separate yet together for each community like, Williamsburg, Flatbush, Boro Park etc. who can set the Halachic standards and control the vetting process of new members for their community.
The MEMBERS are TZADIKIM, nobody is taking away from that, but is it an excuse to IGNORE the HUNDREDS of families who live in Pomona, Wesley Hills, Airmon, Chestnut Ridge etc.
Shlaim
You are Right on target, Hatzola receives approx $3MILLION From the Town of Ramapo, PER YEAR, and growing.
How about trading in the FANCY SUV, which will NEVER see REAL use, and get a Bus for Pomona ???
Unfortunately Lakewood has the same exact issues. As a veteran Lakewood Hatzola member all I can say is, Tom’s River and Jackson, should open their own division of Hatzola. It’s sad that Lakewood has so few members. Baruch Hashem that the members that we have are great and unbelievable, but if Hatzola was really there to save lives they would add many more members. I’m so proud to see http://pomonahatzalah.org/ I wish them the best of luck and I hope the Tom’s River and Jackson community do this also.
Hey Everyone,
I was just directed to this posting by a close friend who is a Hatzoloh member.
This posting can at best qualify as a disenchanted letter-to-the-editor rant. Calling this diatribe an OP/ED is a good hint that the author is not yet within reach of Columbia’s Pulitzer. By definition, an OP/ED really has only one rule…..it needs to be signed! Not only did this cowardly author omit his identity, he couldn’t muster more than an allusion to the tragic drowning in Pomona last week. Apparently, he was only willing to go as far as leaving room to deny the reference once it comes to light that that call was responded to in almost record time (reportedly).
Using the drowning story to bad-mouth Hatzoloh shows the cold-bloodedness of the author and his backers to opportunistically utilize a horrible tragedy for their own agenda and suggest, almost explicitly, that Hatzoloh failed at their mission.
I am not at all familiar with the alleged ongoing shenanigans of this rogue group with sinister, self serving goals. Preferably, I wouldn’t even dignify this “OP/ED” with a response. He claims to speak for the community that it is underrepresented, yet he is too queasy to represent himself and state his name. In my opinion this is nothing more than a rag pashkevil.
Four Bullet points are listed.
* A reference is made to the geographical location of garages. You make it seem that Hatzoloh garages pop up like my kids’ Playmobil ambulance toy set. Your argument ends abruptly before I could complete a single breath. I suspect you had a concussion and never got to complete your point. Based on what you did manage to verbalize, you suggest that Hatzoloh of Rockland systematically considers residents of certain neighborhoods untermenschen and non-deserving of their efforts. I will not bill you for articulating your thoughts, a thank you will suffice.
* I prefer a “zero” recruitment rate than a possible dreg unit like you who shamelessly libels a community organization that probably accrues more volunteer hours than all other organizations combined.
* FYI, lethargy is a medical term. Perhaps you meant “reluctance”? Don’t worry. No charge here either.
* This last bullet point is followed by words that together do not produce a sound statement or argument. It is best left alone.
There, out the window go grand ideas of an OP/ED.
The reason I took time to discredit this post and strip it of any presumed credibility is because a red line was crossed and thugs dared to cross a noble and altruistic organization, Hatzoloh of Rockland. My statement is based on decades-long proven service. As a health professional (and EMT) I am aware of the ever-changing medical universe, often unpredictable. Multiply that by the even faster changing and growing community Hatzoloh serves and you have to be blind to not realize the fantastic job they have done and their indispensability. No organization can forever be perfect, but that is a far cry from the accusations made by some loose lipped rabble rousers.
I simply couldn’t stand idly by.
So thank you Hatzoloh units and volunteers for all past and future accomplishments. Don’t ever let yourself be fooled that the vast majority has forgotten your sacrifices, contributions and selfless dedication. We never will.
D. Rosenberg, PT DPT – a GRATEFUL community member
@DoctorD Are you aware that a Hatzolah member lives 20 seconds away from where this tragedy happened, and he was HOME at the time, and didn’t know about it?
Know why?
Because he is a Hatzolah member in NYC where he works during the day, but he was never given one of their new digital radios when they switched over to their system two months ago.
I’m curios DoctorD…. Was this dinei nefashos paskened by the Belzer Dayan and the Foshay Rebbe? Or was this Kirschenbaum bichvoido uveatzmo?
Absolutely sickening.
Clearly, you are a misinformed individual. VERY misinformed. Hatzolah is a great organization. But they are not aggressively working to expand. Therefore, they should stop being such control freaks, and go to the Rabbonim who have expressed themselves over the past 2 weeks – and were all blown off and ignored – and allow them to do the same thing that New Square did.
Why Monsey Hatzolah insists that they control Haverstraw is simply beyond human comprehension.
One word – CONTROL.
It’s deeply upsetting that two Rabbonim are running the entire organization, where it sholuld be a panel of at least 6 Rabbonim from every single community. Litvish, Chassidish, Modern Orthodox, Chabad, etc etc.
Don’t hold your breath.
Get your facts straight, DoctorD, and don’t make a fool out of yourself.
Dear Dr.
Since you claim Garages DON’T pop up, can you please explain the Logic, or lack thereof, in building the Spring Valley garage on Bluefield Rd, (All 3 Monsey garages are working approx 2 miles of each other) together than in Airmont/Chestnut Ridge or Pomona/Wesley area, where the closest garage is between 5 & 7 MILES away ???
The ONLY logical reason is to ensure a MONSEY Bus is available to GRAB the call, NOT New Square, because the $$$ goes to the Corp that sent the Ambulance.
Same reason the injured Yeshiva student in last years fatal crash, was PULLED out from the NON Hatzolah ambulance…
It’s very tragic that this happened, but unfortunately it’s a FACT, that the management has IGNORED the PLEAS of Pomona residents for YEARS.
PLEASE DON’T TWIST words, NOBODY said ANYTHING about the Dedicated members, HOLY TZADIKIM who give selflessly to the Klal, PLEASE get your facts right before posting NONSENSE.
To all of you that are bashing an entire organization and blaming Hatzolah get the facts right first about the call and about the organization.
*The mother of the child couldn’t get her kid out so she ran next door to her neighbor to help get the child out. That amount of time until she realized the child had drowned and the neighbor got the child out of the pool for arguments sake let’s say 3 min. Even if Hatzolah would have been there right away which you have no proof of. Because I doubt the family timed it can be 3-4 min which is concidered a decent response time for such a remote area.
*@shlaim. The ambulance that is parked next to the PIP are you referring to Rockland mobile care? That is not a 911 ambulance and if you will call 911 in that area you will get haverstraw ambulance which will take 6-10 min for the first person to come. That’s if they have a crew on shift.
If not and it’s in the middle of the night do you know who they call as mutual aid? Rockland mobile care that is stationed in Chestnut Ridge. 17-20 min for them to show up so go ahead call 911 and wait. If you are referring to the Spring Hill ambulance that someone takes to his house on Shabbos it doesn’t a help your
situation and how I know this? I’m part of the Rockland county 911 system. Also the 911 volunteers that live in the Pomona area they are not part of the haverstraw ambulance Corp and their agency is a different channel. So why will that help because they aren’t listening to haverstraw?
*Yes Hatzolah needs recruitment and yes even the city Hatzolahs need help during the day. But there is a certain criteria of members they are looking for and unfortunately Pomona doesn’t have a lot of them.
*Bashing Hatzolah that they got a “fancy suburban”? Someone wanted to donate a car not an ambulance. It didnt come out of their budget so why complain? And yes Rockland Hatzolah owns a piece of land in Pomona and was waiting for the community to grow a little till they build.
Pomona Hatzolah good luck and don’t think you will happen because good luck in getting proper permits and licenses from the Department of Health
Also another FACT, many years ago before anybody lived across 202 the leaders of Hatzoloh contacted the owners of the large parcel at the corner of 202 and 306 called Patrick Farm to give them a piece for a garage which the owner gladly agreed to but unfortunately the village of Pomona is fighting them in court for the past few years and they cannot get approvals
And one more FACT, the garage in Spring Valley was entirely funded and donated by the developer that built Blufield and did not cost Hatzoloh a penny and was in the works way before New Square went on their own
@Monseyresident44
I believe that RMC rig will jump on the call from their station on exit 13 on the pip if it’s a serious job.
No harm in calling 911 as well as Hatzolah.
I’m not a Monsey resident.
BUT this is true, -as with many organizations – The leaders, AKA Mochers, developed great EGOs and lose sight of why they began their holy work.
Dr. D. above should be ignored!
Dr. D. is obviously is part of the problem. Real issues have been pointed out, yet he is busy screaming (and poking fun) at the people says who said it. This is so childish and pathetic!
Rabbonim of communities should be involved and Hatzolah should listen to them.
MONEY is NOT an ISSUE for HATZOLAH!!!!!! whoever says that it is, a liar! If the person in charge says he has a problem raising MONEY, HE SHOULD BE REMOVED AT ONCE!!!! HE DOESN’T BELONG THERE!!!! (obviously, HE lacks leadership qualities and fundraising capabilities… Let someone better take over.
P.S. To all hard working Hatzolah members, you are admired, looked up to and envied by us all!!! MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS!
We love you, and are forever thankful!!!! Please don’t mix, the complaints about the leadership, with the unbelievable job and sacrifice you do!!!
@Monseyresident44
You are unfortunately spot on regarding the permits.
From what I hear it’ll be extremely difficult for another Hatzolah in the area to get the required permits/licenses in the area.
However we can hope…
Or maybe new square Hatzolah who are the most amazing people and an amazing organization will grow somehow…
To Monseyresident44
You showed your true colors, with your last sentence and I quote “Pomona Hatzolah good luck and don’t think you will happen because good luck in getting proper permits and licenses from the Department of Health” This seems like a backhand threat!!! Basically, you will Baschmutz them so they don’t get a permit. Fech!! Shame on you!!!!
All the screamers against common sense solutions are the reason why the Monsey people must stand up and act quickly before the EGO twisted people/mochers get out of hand, and ruin the reputation of this great organization.
I personally know of a Dr who was a Brooklyn member and wasn’t allowed in Monsey Hatzalah, a great guy (he works in monsey)
I know of a medic who works in Monsey and wasn’t allowed in, as well as an EMT who works in Monsey.
even if you tell me one was a bad guy, all 3?? besides when they moved in Monsey was desperate for day members, but night members as well.
Isn’t saving a life more important than politics??
Oh why weren’t they taken in? because one wouldn’t lick anyone to get one, just simply applied, another they thought would be coordinator one day, and the other one has a higher medical degree so they would control any scene they go to.
There are two types of people in this world. Those who want to get something done, and those who post unsigned Op Ed’s on the web.
If someone wants to get something done, they request a meeting with the Board of Hatzoloh, request a meeting with the Rabbonim, state their concerns, have a round table discussion with this dedicated organization of volunteers, and work out a solution, or possibly learn things that they hadn’t considered which have been considered by others.
On the other hand are people who hide behind their keyboard and post blogs. These people have no place in addressing the many challenges Klal Yisroel face, nor in sensible solutions.
Each of us has a choice as to if we want to participate in a sensible way, or if we prefer to hurl verbal bombs from behind our keyboard.
! more though for those that say what should Monsey do, if i was a coordinator not only would i take in those that apply, I would be begging those that are capable but not sure if they want to apply!!
But here for some reason it’s the opposite everyone gets denied, so the power stays where it is, and people die.
Shlaim -“Many people have started calling 911 as 1”
That’s what I do & I’m a medical professional! Btw, I live in Lakewood.
After many years – I don’t trust anyone with a Yalmulka on his head, unless I’ve seen him work!
IDK about Hatzolah in Israel, but I’m talking about Hatzolah in this hemisphere.
The funniest thing – I was once in a course, and there was a Hatzolah guy there from NYC. He also worked as NYC medic. He was discussing a call on the GW bridge. NYC EMS responded & so did a volunteer corps from NJ.
His comment was – “JOLLY VOLLIES”. Now why doesn’t this apply to HATZOLAH?!?
@domino,
Wow are you completely off. “They” in charge don’t listen to anyone, not rabbonim, not board. Eventually they’ll be a clearing of house like what happened in Lakewood when certain people in charge were refusing to take new members even though the community desperately needed them.
hopefully no Yid should need Hatzolah that is what should be written about esp. on 9 days.
Long time hatzolah member here.
A few points.
1. I don’t think the letters author was saying anything negative about the wonderful things all the members do.
2. Last night when this article came out I must have gotten on at least 6 hatzolah whatsapp groups how thrilled members were that somebody who is not part of the organization is going out to bat for them. The article only touched on a few of the issues.
3. Hatzolah of Monsey is ran as a dictatorship where everyone is scared to say anything. In the past they’ve kicked out/suspended members who brought issues up to different rabbonim.
4. If they would make normal elections for coordinators most of the issues would resolve themselves. Most coordinators have been on for around 10+ years without having to be reelected.
5. Be for anyone mocks this author they should speak with a couple of members that aren’t coordinators. I believe that would change there tune.
6. I would love to sign my name but they’d take back my radio before shabbos.
Good Shabbos to all
And on another note the first member was on scene at the drowning within 2 minutes of hatzolah getting called. But until the child was pulled out of the pool and CPR was started which had been started by a neighbor is an unknown amount of time. So stop blaming hatzolah for everything when it is not in their control. And even if a member would have been there 30 seconds after the phone call was made it would not have helped
@health
I personally ride with non-jews and Jews they are solid EMTs but the non Jewish people do not care as much for the patients than the Jewish members. And
In Lakewood a huge majority of the people on first aid are Jews.
@monseytime.
The RMC rig is not always stationed by exit 13 especially at night. Only during the day and they do not scan Haverstraw ambulance if they are needed they get called by their dispatcher so they can’t jump on a call if it is very legitimate because they won’t know. And the issue I’m talking about when it will take a RMC ambulance 20 minutes to get there is because they are at the RMC station in Chestnut Ridge not by exit 13.
@chessedname
Also having a doctor on an ambulance causes a lot of issues it’s not so simple. Because if you have to contact medical control and there’s a doctor on your ambulance it makes things very complicated so stop spewing garbage and figure out the facts
@health
“After many years – I don’t trust anyone with a Yalmulka on his head, unless I’ve seen him work!”
What a disgusting piece of anti semitism.
Imagine if some non Jew said that, everyone would be up in arms, and rightfully so!
You’re hatred for Hatzalah has been well documented in the CR. No one here has an inherent problem Hatzalah. In fact, just the opposite, they want its service to be expanded!
A couple of PAINFUL FACTS
1) Per Monsey resident, who seems to know EVERYTHING, can you enlighten us to the Response time in Pomona, how long did it take for a Bus & Medics to arrive ???Not just today, everyday in Pomona, AND Chestnut Ridge, How many (or few) members live there.
2) NOBODY is Bashing Hatzolah as a whole, Just the RECKLESS actions of whoever is behind these SENSELESS decisions.
3) Regarding the $100,000 SUV, don’t tell me that if someone were to donate the hook and ladder truck they would accept it ???
4) How come for YEARS Monsey did not need a fancy truck, but as soon as new Square got one they need one too.
5) Patrick Farm is FULLY in the Town of Ramapo, so don’t shift the blame to Village of Pomona.
6) And YES, the writer has NO choice but to hide behind YWN, for fear of HARASSMENT, & retribution.
7) Ask other not for profits in Monsey, how Hatzolah leadership treats them, I’ll NEVER forget after Katrina, Getty was open only for first responders, there was a Coordinator staying away Chaverim members, Just because he felt like it.
8) Oh and take a look at some of the OUTRAGEOUS salaries on Hatzolah payroll.
My husband has applied and has been given the run around for several years now. He isn’t frum enough (we’re quite frum and as frum as the higher ups he knows), he is incredibly qualified (ten years or so of EMT experience plus higher education in the medical field) and is available days. Most recently he was told that his profession doesn’t pay enough to support a frum family so they are scared that he’ll have to take another job and lose his daytime availability. TBH it’s embarrassing. He was able to listen in on their calls until they changed their system a couple months ago and the wait time was often pathetic. There was a call right near us that he could have responded to but he wasn’t accepted so couldnt. It’s a great organization but it does have it’s flaws and it’s turned into an elite boys club that is more about the politics than saving lives.
I am glad that the Rabbonim have gotten together and finally going to take control.
Those who think this letter was written by some reject, should think again.
Very calculated and amazing work! I”H lives will be saved.
Either they will cooperate, or they will be canned.
Mark my words.
I am an active Monsey member.
They will run scrambling and try and calm things down and take in a few people. Don’t cave. Get rid of the dictators, and make it what it is. A community organization, run by the community, supported by the community. Not a few elite.
Flatbush, Queens, and the others should take note.
Oh on another note. The garage in spring valley was also donated and built by the developer of bluefield because if he was able to get permits to build more homes he proposed he will build hatzolah a garage. Another note hatzolah needed to switch over to their new radio system because their old one was failing you were not able to hear anybody especially in the Pomona or Chestnut Ridge neighborhoods even guys in the middle of Monsey were very hard to hear over the radio so it was a well due upgrade.
And the fact that they get money from the town is because they soft bill for all of their calls which the town requires. So that money that they get from the town comes from calls they go on and people’s insurances and enables the kehilla to spend their well earned money one tuition or other tzedakos instead of hatzolah.
@Monseyresident44
I would never say to just call 911.
I am saying, and I think everyone in the know would agree with this – there is absolutely no harm in calling 911 after calling Hatzolah.
Additionally often times the 911 rig in the area of a good 911 agency (Feist, Springhill) will beat the hatzolah rig to the scene. And, it’s the same soft bill.
Another 2 HUGE issues with Hatzolah that many aren’t familiar with.
1) Sometimes when Calling Hatzolah these days, often times you are really delaying the medics (for those that aren’t familiar with the difference between paramedics and EMTs.. short answer – if it’s a serious emergency you want medics there) as Hatzolah will ask for mutual aid from RPS if they can’t get a medic there, so by calling 911 additionally would have removed that delay.
Now why doesn’t Monsey have more medics you ask? Well… That actually are running a medic class now/soon, but the higher ups have decided to not let quite a few dedicated members that wanted to take the course…. For no good reason… Playing with people’s life’s….. This ain’t a game of monolopy…..
2) on a recent highly public call – the accident on 59 – Monsey Hatzolah DID NOT ALLOW a 911 agency to transport some of the injured to the hospital, instead choosing to wait an additional 7 minutes for another one of their ambulances to show up… And the 911 crew was Jewish. Again making decisions that affect others without their consent… Playing with people’s life’s….
Unacceptable.
Something has to be done. Hopefully, this article is a start.
Gut vuch
When I first read this post I was shocked how someone has the nerve and audacity to write negativity against such a wonderful and much needed organization. However, truth be told, there is sadly enough alot of truth to what the write has to say. Hatzoloh of Rockland is run by a group of people who let the power get to their heads. They simply ignore the common folk and continue doing what is best for them. I was recently made aware that roughly a year ago Hatzoloh offered an EMT course to the community. Surprisingly there was no advertisement and only 1 person from the course was accepted as a full time member. He happens to be a son of one of the coordinators. I can’t say for sure this is true, just repeating what I was told. Supposedly, the one guy they did accept works out of monsey and is away from early morning till nightime .
Cont.
Does this make any sense? Why offer a course and not advertise? Why not take in new members? Especially if some of them work locally and are available almost all day and night?
I’m not a member and I’m not an EMT although some of my very close friends are. Ironically not one of the members I know have anything positive to say about the coordinators and board of directors. Changes need to be made. The community needs it, the community requires the change and the people are demanding the change.
Raboissai. Let’s all come together and join forces. Let’s work as a team effort to help each and every member of our communities.
I live in Brooklyn and it is absolutely and unfortunately true that Hatzalah is totally politicized.
Experienced EMTs from other neighborhoods are not allowed to become official members in Boro Park, despite the fact that they respond to numerous calls day and night — but for no reason other than they are a threat to the hierarchy.
Very qualified EMTs are not permitted to go on to become paramedics despite the fact that there is a shortage during daytime hours — the decision made arbitrarily.
It is sad to see that such an organization, second to none, should be crippled by some egotistic men who rule according to their whims and not according to the needs of our rapidly growing communities.
Perhaps if there would be a greater outcry – including Rabbanim – we would see a substantial change.
Also, it would be to everyone’s benefit if there would be term limits for these people in power. People are afraid to speak out, but ask the Hatzalah members and you will get an earful!
@yiddishgredt.
You got it all wrong only one person from the class did not get accepted. Also there were no coordinators son’s in the class. That is total garage.
Also when they gave out the course they said there are no promises that anyone will be accepted to the organization.
@monseytime.
If it is a serious call hatzalah will have their Medics automatically dispatched on first shot. Do you know how long it takes the RPS Medics to leave their building on a call even for a priority? Sometimes 5 to 6 minutes. Yes it is true at the accident on Route 59 a 911 ambulance was there with a Jewish person on the crew and hatzolah did not let them take a patient. But I don’t think it was 7 min and it’s one specific member not the organization.
And back to someone else’s comment about the accident on Route 202 the ambulance that was there was from Haverstraw on its way back from the hospital it was not the response area at all they were sevral miles from the response area. They happened to roll up. And the only reason why 911 was called originally is because one of the students in the yeshiva is on a 911 agency and picked up his radio and called it in. So all of you get your facts straight before you share
@pomonayid.
Patrick Farm is the village of Pomona zoning and building it might be in the town of Ramapo but it is not there Building Department.
And regarding the SUV New Square got one about 5 years ago. When someone donates something to your organization you don’t complain you take it happily especially if it is something that can be of very good use.
Your comment about buys a fire truck is just stupidity. if someone were to offer to buy a fire truck they won’t take it because that’s not what they do
@OB1 The Rockland Hatzolah Vaad Harabonim are rabonnim from every aspect of the community. From chassidish to Modern so get your facts straight before you start putting out all of your hatred especially with naming rabonnim and coordinators personally
@ Monsey444
The Spring Valley garage is in the VILLAGE of SPRING VALLEY, while the Bluefield Development is in the TOWN of RAMAPO.
So much for FAKE NEWS
@Monseytime
Remember the HORRIFIC crash on 202 last year, the injured Bochur was in a NON Hatzolah Bus ready to roll to the Hospital, and was DRAGGED OUT and placed on a Hatzolah Bus.
So much for Expediency, & Patient Care.
The more we read about this the more we see that this article was necessary to help gather people to do something about a bad situation.
Remove the dictators and replaced them with Ehrlicher rabbonim and ordinary askonim who are loyal to the rabbonim and the community!!!!!
All the Monsey screamers against this article are part of the problem.
To Mr. Health above; you are disgusting!!!!
Kofi tov! You should not be part of this discussion!!!!
No one here has anything negative to say on the unbelievable work the hatzolah members do, day in day out!!!!!
It’s the elite dictators that brought this discussion to the table.
To the person who made a comment that he does not trust an EMT with a Kippah:
1. How about if it is a nice pretty colorful Kippah-would that calm you down???
2. Does the size make a difference. If it was a tiny little Kippa the size of a 50 cent coin- would you reconsider your decision????
3. If it was a tiny little Kippah, plus it had many many colors –will this pass??
My final question:
When you do call 911, do you tell them, “Do not send anyone with a Kippah”??
I know that you call yourself “health”, but as an outsider I am able to sense that you are a very bitter, very unhappy and very unfriendly . Most gentiles will be delighted to get any EMT- with a Kippah-without a Kippah.
Could it be that maybe a Jewish person hurt your feelings and now you want to take revenge on all the Jewish people?
I see a lot of finger pointing here. They haven’t recruited, they haven’t put an ambulance here, they haven’t built a garage, they haven’t allowed members from other areas to join and so on. Firstly, since when are you entitled to services? Did you ask anyone before moving to remote areas whether you would be covered or did you just assume that it’s their obligation to follow you wherever you decided you would like to live no matter how far? How much money have you raised in your neighborhood to fund a building, an ambulance, donate a piece of land to for it as well as pat to train a few volunteers and outfit their vehicles, pay for the insurance differential and a likely other host of costs associated with doing so? The price tag for that is likely in the range of close to one million dollars ($1,000,000) to do that. Now that would need to be done 3x over for Pomona, Garnerville and Haverstraw to be effective. If you are all so disgusted with the leadership you are welcome to open your own organization seeing that it’s so simple to just make changes because 300 families moved into areas that are a distance from Monsey and Hatzoloh hasn’t jumped fast enough to cover your unilateral decision to move to an outlying area. For the record, I am not a member of Hatzoloh. I’m just shocked by the sense of entitlement displayed here as if they owe you something.
Alright @pomonayid.
You don’t seem to know anything. Call the developer yourself and he can tell you that he built it. Also the accident on 202 the haverstraw ambulance let hatzolah take the pt and haverstraw wanted to take the pt to Good Sam when he needed to get to a trauma center and they did not have Medics with them so they couldn’t leave anyway
The travesty is that the official Rockland Hatzaloh whatsapp chat can’t be broadcasted here. If the public could see whats finally going on they would understand how right the op-ed author was. Finally something may happen after way too long.
@monseyyid44
Since you seem to be in the know of what really happened at that course and who was/wasn’t accepted why don’t tell us the members that were accepted from that course. I’m pretty sure if almost everyone was accepted there shouldn’t be any really issues with relaying the information.
Like I said I’m not personally involved just repeating what I heard from a close friend (who happens to be a hatzoloh member).
Forshay did not have a garage for years, the ambulance was left by Rabbi Rudinsky’s shul for years, there is no reason why other neighborhoods can not do that.
Yes they need to fix up the process to allow people in the current system was also put into affect from the rabonim
y2r -“To Mr. Health above; you are disgusting”
Why – the truth hurts?
You know well & good – nothing will change unless guys like me will take over.
Why don’t you go to Rabbis, if there is any truth to what you’re saying?!?