Hazoloh: Jewish ambulance service in Switzerland

In 1987, an American woman founded a non-profit Jewish ambulance in Zurich based on the New York model. The reason was that the city’s ambulance service was taking too long to reach accident scenes or sick patients. The name Hazoloh means rescue in Hebrew. Behind it is a worldwide organisation whose umbrella organisation is based in New York with over 1000 volunteers who save lives on a voluntary basis.

The Israelite Hospital existed in Basel from 1906 to 1953, and there are still various Jewish retirement and nursing homes in the Aargau, Basel, Geneva and Zurich/Winterthur regions today. But did you know that there is also a Jewish ambulance service in Zurich?

If you have a medical emergency in Switzerland, you call 144 and the emergency call centre alerts the rescue service responsible for the patient’s location. For cost reasons, the ambulance does not include a doctor, but he will be called if the patient is seriously ill. In addition to the rescue services organised under public law, there are also private, mostly profit-oriented companies. One exception is Hazoloh , the only denominational ambulance service in Switzerland, which is financed by donations.

Why a Jewish ambulance?

There is basically no difference between Jewish and municipal ambulances. Around 6000 Jews live in Zurich, a third of whom are Orthodox. Hazoloh offers some advantages for them, because among the 2000 orthodox Jews there are those who speak only or almost only Yiddish or Hebrew. The paramedics also know the religious feelings of the patients and know what needs to be taken into account. For example, in the event of an accident resulting in death, the casualty’s clothing is important as it is needed for the funeral.

The beginnings of Hazoloh

In the first ten years of its existence, Hazoloh did not have its own ambulance, only private vehicles equipped with blue lights and a signal. The paramedics‘ equipment was recognized by the International Association for Rescue Services (IVR) . Not everything went smoothly in the early years, with a power struggle between the municipal ambulance service and Hazoloh lasting for years until a peaceful coexistence emerged. Today, Hazoloh has its own perfectly equipped ambulance.

Hazoloh works according to the first responder principle, which means that in addition to the ambulance, which is always alerted, two paramedics travel directly to the scene. If necessary, paramedics and emergency doctors can also be called in. As the ambulance does not have to go to the rescue service base first, the first aiders can be on site more quickly and intervene more quickly in the event of acute heart problems or similar conditions.

What is the ambulance used for?

The Hazoloh is intended for primary emergency operations. Normal patient transport cannot be carried out. A tele-alarm can be installed on request for elderly or single people. People who have such an alarm system give Hazoloh a key to their home so that a member of staff can open a locked door for the patient in the event of an emergency call.

Dependent on donations

In January 1998, Hazoloh received a generous donation in the form of its own radio system from a family in memory of their deceased father. This enables all paramedics to receive an emergency call on their radios, which they carry with them 24 hours a day. After the announcement, the two paramedics closest to the patient rush to the scene. An additional man drives the ambulance to its destination.

As Hazoloh works on a voluntary basis worldwide, including in Zurich, the staff do not earn any money. The patients do not receive an invoice either. In order to be able to finance itself through donations , the organization sends out a large annual fundraising campaign.

Finally, it should be noted that Hazoloh helps anyone who needs help, regardless of the cultural or religious background of the person seeking help.

BK

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