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As in every year, Magen David Adom is cooperating with security forces in preparation for Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai celebrations in Meron. Forces will also medically secure Lag B’Omer events throughout Israel operating at alertness level C (the highest level), to ensure rapid, professional and instant medical treatment to anyone in need.

Magen David Adom will medically secure the hundreds of thousands of people who will be celebrating from Friday, 16 Iyar to motzei Shabbos. MDA forces will be joined by volunteers from various rescue organizations operating year-round as MDA first responders.

Throughout the celebrations, that are expected to be attended by hundreds of thousands, Magen David Adom will established a special command and control center at Mt. Meron as well as two medical clinics at the Meron Yeshiva and near Szifron factory, both will be manned by doctors, paramedics and EMTs.

Additionally, hundreds of paramedics and EMTs, employees and volunteers alike, will be stationed near the Rashbi Tomb to assist those who feel badly during the celebrations and evacuate those in need of further treatment.

Rescue vehicles such as Intensive Care Units, ambulances, Mobile Mass Casualty Incident Units, Mobile clinics, Medicycles, ATVs and hundreds of MDA medical staff will be scattered around prepared to provide treatment to anyone in need. MDA’s Northern helicopter will also be on high alert in order to perform rapid evacuations when needed. MDA forces will also be scattered around roads leading to Meron.

MDA Safety Guidelines for Those Celebrating:

1. Prevent dehydration by drinking even when you don’t feel thirsty, carry enough water with you, don’t walk in the sun without a hat on and apply SPF to exposed skin.

2. Those who consume medication regularly, must not forget to carry it with them.

3. Only consume food that’s been appropriately refrigerated and kept in sanitary conditions.

4. Adhere to the instructions of security forces and ushers.

5. Do not light fire near flammable liquids or electricity poles and facilities.

6. In case of an injury approach MDA teams scattered around the area, and if needed please call MDA at 101.

Transportation and Road Safety:

1. Make sure to get sufficient amount of sleep before getting on the road.

2. Take into consideration that there will be many traffic jams in the area: remain highly alert, keep your distance from the cars in front and around you and drive carefully.

3. Cars transporting babies and children – make sure to seat children in special safety chairs and carry enough food and beverages as sitting in traffic may take long.

4. Do not leave children in the car unattended, even if only a short time.

5. Adhere to the instructions of police personnel and ushers in the Meron area to avoid accidents.

MDA Director General, Eli Bin: “I commend those visiting the Rashbi and those celebrating Lag B’Omer around Israel. The Meron celebration is one of the largest public events MDA has to prepare for every year. Large MDA forces will be on high alert in the area. We’ve prepared for various scenarios in order to provide the fastest, most effective treatment to those in need. We’ve also prepared for a wide variety of extreme possible scenarios beyond usual injuries. I call those celebrating in Meron to adhere to safety instructions, avoid dense crowds and listen to the ushers. I would like to thank MDA volunteers, many of which are part of other devoted rescue organizations that operate under the auspices of MDA and assist in lifesaving efforts year-round.”

Magen David Adom’s Lag B’Omer Safety Guidelines

Magen David Adom is preparing for Lag B’Omer in which tens of thousands of bonfires will be lit throughout the country. Large MDA forces will be on high alert, ready to provide medical treatment to anyone in need. MDA Director General, Eli Bin, has instructed to enhance MDA stations with additional EMTs, paramedics, ambulances, Intensive Care Units, and Medicycles in order to answer the many calls expected to be received that night. MDA is calling parents to stay around bonfires in order to protect children and teenagers, ensure the fire doesn’t spread and that children don’t engage in violent incidents.

Collecting wood for the fire:

· Do not pick up pieces of wood with nails in them as they may cause injuries.

· Do not enter deserted fields as snakes may be lurking in them.

· Do not enter construction sites as you may fall and get hurt.

· While collecting wood and piling it onto a stroller, it may block your field of view, make sure to carefully cross the road only through designated pedestrian crossings.

Bonfires:

· Appoint an adult responsible for lighting the bonfire, preventing it from spreading, and watching the children and teenagers around it.

· Bonfires should be lit in areas free of thorns and shrubbery, and at a safe distance from buildings and facilities.

· Do not light fire under electricity or phone cables, near trees, shrubbery or gas facilities.

· Keep a safe distance from nearby bonfires.

· Do not light wood planks positioned vertically as they may tip over and cause injuries.

· Create a “fence” made of stones around the bonfire to prevent the fire from spreading. The stones will also prevent children from entering the dangerous zone.

· Wear high shoes, long pants and an appropriate shirt to protect the body from sparks and coals, as well as bites from bugs attracted to heat.

· Setting up bonfires in the woods on in forests should only take place in designated areas.

· Carry a mobile phone or ensure that there’s a landline nearby from which you’ll able to call MDA at 101 in case of a medical emergency. It is recommended to install the free MDA mobile app, “My MDA”, on your smartphone.

· It is recommended to carry an MDA First Aid kit.

· Keep two buckets of water near the bonfire in case the fire spreads.

· Keep flammable materials away from the fire and do not keep gas or fuel tanks around it.

· The fire must only be lit by an adult in a careful manner.

· It is prohibited to throw the following materials into the fire: spray cans, firecrackers or bullets, as they may explode.

· Only adults can add wood to the fire.

· Do not spray gas or other flammable liquids on the fire. It is extremely dangerous and can cause individuals to go up in flames.

· Keep children away from the source of fire to prevent burns. Do not keep children unattended around the fire even for a moment.

· If your clothes get caught on fire, do not run. Stop, drop and roll on the ground many times over.

· Do not sleep in sleeping bags near the fire.

· In case of a burn cool the area with running water and call MDA at 101 – adhere the instructions of the EMTs and paramedics at the dispatch center until the MDA team arrives on the scene.

· Children’s games and activities must only take place away from the bonfire and not around it.

· Potatoes and onions cooking in the fire must be threated on a wire. Inserting and extracting them from the fire should only be done by an adult. Prior to serving the food to children, ensure it’s not too hot to avoid mouth burns.

· Ensure to put out the fire completely with water and sand before leaving the location.

In Case of Fire-Related Injuries:

1. In case somebody’s clothes get caught on fire, lay them on the ground and roll them in the dirt. Alternatively, put out the fire with lots of water. It is also possible to “suffocate” the fire by covering the patient with a wet blanket or big towel as long as their head remains uncovered to avoid asphyxiation.

2. Do not rip burnt clothes that have stuck to the burn. In case of topical burns, cool the area with running water or lay moist fabric on the burn. It is possible to also use wet cloths and clothes. Do not pop blisters or remove skin from the burn. Additionally, do not apply creams or other materials to the burn.

3. If possible, remove jewelry from the patient.

4. In case sparks penetrate the eyes, rinse them with running water.

5. Due to severe air pollution, MDA recommends that the elderly, pregnant women, heart patients, lung patients and infants remain indoors with the windows and blinds shut.

6. Keep alcoholic beverages away from the.

7. Refrain from throwing tanks, cans and bottles that could explode into the fire.

MDA Director General, Eli Bin: “Every year people get hurt while celebrating the holiday as a result of careless use of flammable materials and liquids. Many children also hurt themselves searching for wood for the bonfire. I call the public to adhere to our safety guidelines and appoint a responsible adult in charge at every bonfire. Keep water tanks near the source of fire and call MDA at 101 immediately at any case of medical emergency. I wish everyone a happy and safe Lag B’Omer.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)