When To Call Hatzolah EMS

24/7 Hotline for first-aid or ambulance service 1-973-773-9988 office (non-urgent): 1-973-773-1884

Hatzolah EMS should be called for all medical emergencies. People are often unsure whether a medical emergency is "big enough" to warrant calling Hatzolah. If you are unsure, always call (even on Shabbos) and let the dispatcher know that you are unsure.

• Hatzolah should be called:
  • for all medical emergencies.
  • to "check out" someone to see if they need emergency medical treatment.
    
  • to bandage a wound, or splint a serious injury.
  • for all car accidents.
  • to help search for missing children or adults.
  • for advice and help in the event of any emergency.

• In the event of a fire, first call the Fire Department, then call Hatzolah.

• Hatzolah can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including Shabbos, Yom Tov, and even Yom Kippur.

• Hatzolah should not be called for routine (non-emergency or pre-scheduled) ambulance transports, but Hatzolah can be called for advice on which ambulance company or hospital to use

• In any situation where there is even a slight possibility that delaying could be dangerous, immediately call.

Important note: During an emergency, and particularly on Shabbos, people sometimes search for a Hatzolah volunteer they are familiar with; by going to his house or calling him on the phone.

We strongly discourage this practice. It is potentially dangerous because it delays getting help quickly, especially during severe or potentially life threatening medical emergencies.

In any medical emergency, immediately call the Hatzolah hotline number. All of our volunteers are highly trained and professional, and capable of handling all medical emergencies.

If you would like a specific volunteer to come, do not delay calling Hatzolah in order to call him. When you call the Hatzolah hotline, after giving the dispatcher the information, you can request that they also send over a particular volunteer if he is available.

In medical emergencies every second is critical. Do not cause unnecessary delays.

Remember: If you are unsure, always call (even on Shabbos) and let the dispatcher know that you are unsure.