Saving Lives Then. Saving Lives Now.

Today, Catskills Hatzalah is a renowned Volunteer Ambulance Service that boasts lightning-quick response times, state-of-the-art dispatching technology and a wide network of trained members who are available to respond to medical emergencies throughout upstate New York.

But it wasn’t always that way.

What originally began in 1984 as a small group of volunteers responding to medical emergencies for a few hundred Jewish families vacationing each summer in the Fallsburg vicinity, has since blossomed into a full-time organization ensuring the safety of over 300 vacation colonies and summer camps spread across the Catskills region.

While Catskills Hatzalah is affiliated with other Hatzalah branches, the Catskills division remains independent and receives no outside financial support from any other Hatzalah branch or government agency. Catskills Hatzalah must raise funds annually to maintain the state-of-the-art garage, large ambulance fleet, modern radio system and lifesaving medical equipment - and ensure that the organization is ready and able to save lives all year long.

  • Over

    2,000

    Calls Per Year

  • Fleet of

    13

    Ambulances

  • Over

    350

    Volunteers

Background photo

fast Facts

Catskills Hatzalah maintains a fleet of 13 state-of- the-art ambulances that are equipped with specialized medical and rescue equipment specifically for the Catskills region

Numerous emergency calls require Catskills Hatzalah to transport patients to out-of-area hospitals that can extend transportation times up to 4 hours and consume over 20 extra-it

Catskills Hatzalah maintains a sophisticated two-way radio system that allows for emergency communications covering over a 100 square mile radius that costs well over $125,000 each summer season

In addition to standard mechanical repairs and gasoline usage for each Catskills Hatzalah ambulance, the costs posed by auto insurance and equipment expenses total over $350,000 a year

The staggering budget of Catskills Hatzalah is funded solely by donations from loyal supporters – the Catskills division receives no outside support from any other organization or government agency