United Hatzalah, Israel’s largest volunteer emergency-medical services (EMS) organization, has dramatically expanded its life-saving network in 2024, reaching a milestone of 8,000 volunteers nationwide. It has also welcomed 1,000 new emergency-medical volunteers across the country this year, marking a surge in community-driven emergency response.
The unprecedented security challenges of the past year have brought United Hatzalah’s critical mission into sharp focus, dramatically increasing public awareness and appreciation for the organization’s critical volunteer work.
Along with its volunteer growth, the organization’s emergency vehicle fleet has also significantly expanded. Approximately 200 ambucycles were added to United Hatzalah’s ambucycle unit in the past year, and dozens of new ambulances were put into active service in branches across the country.
United Hatzalah volunteers do not charge for treating injured individuals or for ambulance transfers to hospitals. They are active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
United Hatzalah’s dispatch center handles approximately 2,200 emergency calls daily. The organization’s volunteers, including doctors, paramedics and medics, are stationed throughout the country, representing all sectors of Israeli society. Volunteers include men and women, Jews, Muslims, Christians, as well as secular and ultra-Orthodox.
“I am incredibly proud of the unwavering dedication of our volunteers,” said president and founder Eli Beer. “They represent the very best of Israeli society, and it is inspiring to see how so many people from all walks of life come together to selflessly save lives.”
He added that “the challenges of the past year have only strengthened our resolve, and United Hatzalah is determined to grow even larger—ensuring that no emergency goes unanswered and no life is left without hope.”
Professor Ehud Davidson, CEO of United Hatzalah, said: “8,000 volunteers! This is a very significant achievement that allows us to expand our activities and reach every corner of the State of Israel. The desire to contribute to the community and save lives is the driving force behind United Hatzalah’s incredible growth. I am pleased to see that the Israeli public understands the importance of United Hatzalah, and I am grateful for the trust it places in us.”
Davidson noted that “this is also an opportunity to thank each and every one of the organization’s volunteers for their dedication and willingness to be on call 24/7, often risking their own lives, for the noble purpose of saving others.”
