The Hatzolah world is mourning the loss of one of its quiet giants, R’ Efrayim Segal Z”L, known in Hatzolah as “ES-28”.
A member of Chevra Hatzolah for decades, Efrayim Segal was among the pioneers of volunteer emergency response in Brooklyn’s Kensington neighborhood. Though he carried an “East Side” response number, he lived near Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and, for many years, was one of the only active Hatzolah responders in the area.
He answered thousands upon thousands of Hatzolah calls, saving countless lives with dedication that knew no clock, no weather, and no inconvenience. His commitment was so absolute that when he was sitting shiva, the late Posekk Hador Hagaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein ruled that he should keep his radio on — and that if a call came in from the neighborhood, he was to rise and respond.
An Army veteran, Efrayim Segal brought discipline, creativity, and grit to every scene. Long before medical backpacks became standard, he carried his lifesaving equipment in a rugged hiking-style pack — everywhere. It was with him on the subway rides to his job on the Lower East Side, at simchos, and wherever he went. That readiness once made the difference when he reportedly defibrillated a patient on a train while on his way to work, simply because he had his equipment with him, as always.
He was known as an out-of-the-box thinker, particularly on complex or chaotic scenes, where his calm presence and problem-solving instincts often proved invaluable. Those who were there still recount stories that sound unbelievable — unless you witnessed them firsthand.
Though unofficial, Efrayim Segal served as a mentor to many in the early days of Hatzolah. Not because he sought the role, but because he led by example — quietly, consistently, and with total devotion to Klal Yisrael. His legacy continues through his family as well; his son-in-law serves as one of the coordinators of Union County Hatzoloh.
He will be deeply and sorely missed, but his impact lives on in the countless lives he saved, the responders he inspired, and the standard he set for what it means to answer the call.
The Levaya for ר’ אפרים בן זלמן שמואל will be tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:00 PM in Boro Park at Shomrei Hadas.
The Kevurah will be at Mount Zion Cemetery in Queens.
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2 Responses
BD’E When my father was sitting Shiva for ybl’c my grandfather, Reb Efrayim came to be menachem avel. When he left my father told his siblings “He saved our fathers life many times. There must be a special place in Gan Eden for people like him” I’m sure he is being ushered in there now.
The writer left out that for years he took calls on a bicycle. The ES designation was because he became a member on the LES where there was a shortage of members and he worked there.