A Guardian Angel Over the Neighborhood at All Hours

A while back, Hatzalah realized that in the deep hours of the evening, even if every volunteer slept near their radio, the rapid, life-saving response for which they’re famous is impossible to maintain. And so, “Car 1” was born.

We’ve all been there. The sun sets, the world slows down, and everything comes to a silent standstill. The neighborhood is fast asleep, and barely a soul can be found outside. Even the late-hour corner store is closed; life is on pause, waiting expectantly for a new day and laying low until then.

And then it happens. An emergency occurs, and medical help is needed—and fast. “What are we going to do now at this unseemly hour in the middle of the night?” you fret. “Who can we call now? Who’s awake?”

Hatzalah of course. You make the call, someone immediately responds, and within minutes, they’re there. Sirens blazing, help arrives almost within the blink of an eye.

How do they do it? How do they get there so fast in the dead of the night? Are they sitting awake and dressed, waiting at the other end of the phone for the call?

As a matter of fact, the answer is, “Yes!”

A while back, Hatzalah realized that in the deep hours of the evening, even if every volunteer slept near their radio, the rapid, life-saving response for which they’re famous is impossible to maintain. No matter how devoted a volunteer may be, it takes time to wake up, get dressed, shake off the sleepy cobwebs, jump into the car, and head on over to the emergency site.

And so, “Car 1” was born.

Two Hatzalah members dedicate themselves to keeping watch all night long in a Hatzalah vehicle, ensuring maximum safety for the community. Sharing shifts from 11 pm to 7 am every night, they remain alert and prepared to respond to any emergency. Their commitment ensures that the usual two-to-three-minute response time is maintained, even in the middle of the night.

According to the Hatzalah coordinators, “Hatzalah’s number one priority is getting to the scene as soon as possible. Having someone on-site to assess the situation quickly is critical. Many times, a call comes in with a certain description, but upon arrival, the situation is entirely different. That’s why members are always ready to take action, no matter the time of day or night.”

It takes a lot of sacrifice on the part of the Hatzalah member on duty and their family. Yet, these community heroes are passionate about their role and prioritize the safety of others above their own personal needs.

And now, it’s our turn to take notice of their sacrifice and pitch in whatever we can to help Hatzalah’s efforts.

As Crown Heights Hatzalah comes to an end of their only annual fundraiser, be a hero, donate now!