Frequently asked questions

Hatzalah, Hebrew for “rescue,” was started in Williamsburg, New York in 1965 to respond to the unique cultural and religious needs of the Jewish community and to improve pre-hospital emergency care. It has grown into the largest volunteer ambulance service in North America, and Hatzalah members were among the first EMS personnel at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Hatzalah has chapters across the country and the world, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Hatzalah Cleveland is a non-profit organization that responds rapidly to the emergency medical needs of the Cleveland Jewish community. We complement local fire/rescue services by providing high-quality care within minutes of being dispatched.

Our EMTs make sure 911 has been called, and stay with the patient, providing care and comfort, until care is handed over to fire/rescue personnel.

To help during those few precious minutes when immediate, proper care can make the difference. Our volunteers live and work in our neighborhoods, in our schools, shuls and community institutions, so they can often be there within one to three minutes of the call.

Community members are sometimes unsure whether they need medical attention, or hesitate to call. A quick assessment by a Hatzalah EMT can encourage a patient to seek care sooner, and faster care often leads to better outcomes.

Our members are trained in both emergency medicine and Jewish law. They understand the community’s needs, including on Shabbos, and can help a patient understand when going to the hospital is the right choice.

Hatzalah Cleveland is a community organization operating under the auspices and direction of its Rabbinical Board. We are an affiliate of Central Hatzalah of New York, the oldest and largest Jewish emergency-care volunteer organization in the world.

For any life-threatening emergency, or even the possibility of one, call Hatzalah Cleveland and 911 — even on Shabbos. Our EMTs assess and begin life-saving treatment until fire/rescue arrives to provide advanced care and transport.

Situations to call for include, but are not limited to:

• Allergic reactions
• Altered mental status
• Cardiac concerns
• Choking
• Diabetic concerns
• Difficulty breathing
• High fevers
• OB emergencies
• Suspected poisonings or overdoses
• Stroke symptoms
• Automobile accidents
• Unusual bleeding
• Burns
• Fractures
• Severe wounds
• Slips and falls

If you would call 911 for a medical issue, call Hatzalah Cleveland as well.

We do not transport patients to the hospital. Our role is immediate care, bridging the time until fire/rescue arrives and takes over.

We also do not diagnose. A baby having trouble breathing could have asthma, croup, pneumonia or something else; the cause is for doctors to determine. What we do is make sure the baby is getting enough oxygen and is stable until fire/rescue arrives.

Patient privacy is both a legal obligation and a matter of respect. Please do not ask any Hatzalah Cleveland member about a patient’s condition or a call, even if the community already knows what happened.

Every Hatzalah Cleveland member is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, with additional medical training beyond what licensing requires. All members also learn the Jewish laws that apply to delivering medical care.

Yes. Continuing education is mandatory. Every EMT attends regular classes and drills so their skills are current and ready when called upon.

Yes. We offer safety classes to the community, which can be held during the day or in the evening. Courses may include:

• Basic first aid and choking
• Basic CPR
• AED instruction
• Stop the Bleed
• Stroke awareness

To organize a class, call the office at 216-353-6613 or use the contact page.

Hatzalah Cleveland is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization funded only by private donations. Every dollar goes to operations: equipment, training and operating costs. All personnel are unpaid volunteers.

No. Hatzalah Cleveland never charges for emergency care.

Yes. We depend entirely on local residents volunteering to cover our community, and we help provide the training and support you need. See the Join the Team page to apply.

Call our non-emergency office at 216-353-6613. If no one answers, leave a message and someone will get back to you. You can also reach us through the contact page.