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As Palestinian Rockets Multiplied, Israeli First Responders Struggled to Keep Up

(Times of Israel) Melanie Lidman - Shimon Lugasi, head of United Hatzalah's Ashkelon regional branch, helped respond or send volunteers to almost 70 events during the rocket barrage from Gaza at the beginning of the week. Attacks on the city of Ashkelon left one dead and 13 injured. Magen David Adom spokesman Zaki Heller said dozens of MDA paramedics from across the country volunteered to come to the region to relieve local staff and volunteers. Heller explained how, after a rocket hit an apartment building in Ashkelon, paramedics responded to five incidents in the same neighborhood outside of the building that was hit, including people injured by shrapnel or glass, people who fell and hurt themselves while running to the bomb shelter, and a pregnant woman who went into early labor from the stress of the nearby explosion. Magen David Adom treated 65 people during the rocket barrage this week, including three people who were critically injured, and 30 people with minor injuries ranging from shrapnel to smoke inhalation, said Heller. Paramedics also treated 31 people for shock. "With physical injuries, they heal after a month or a few months," Heller added. "But dealing with shock, this sometimes stays with them for their entire life." Lugasi said that for most people, the sound of the siren means they run for cover. But "when I hear a siren, I go outside to take care of people."
2018-11-15 00:00:00
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