I keep reading that Hatzolah responds within minutes. Joseph says there is a Hatzolah member living within every frum family in Boro Park. If one knows Boro Park, you would know that these claims are exaggerated
A, One member per block claim
Boro Park’s boundaries unofficially runs from 39th Street to 60th and from 9th Ave to 18th ( or 19th ). How doe Joseph know that each of these blocks has a Hatzolah member residing there? Does he have their addresses? Even if he is correct, you would need at least 3 members per block since members I presume leave the block to shul, to learn, to work, to doctor etc.
B. Arrive within minutes claim
Boro Park is one of the most traffic congested areas in NYC, with far more cars than parking spots. The avenues, particularly 13th from 40th to 60th and the related side streets branching off, are congested all day with double parked cars, delivery trucks and busses. The numerous school buses block side streets in the morning and evening. If you have the misfortune ( as I have ) of turning onto a Boro Park side street only to find a Sanitation truck picking up garbage, it can take five minutes to get past it. Yes, the bus and truck should move out of the way, but the streets often don’t hove spaces big enough to allow them to pull over. I find it hard to believe the Hatzolah ambulances ( and the cars of Hatzolah volunteers ) don’t encounter these issues on a routine basis.