Magen David Adom announces it is in the process up upgrading its emergency dispatcher centers and the new system will permit a response to calls for assistance within five seconds. MDA officials report the system is the most advanced in the world today.

When one dials the MDA emergency number seeking assistance, �101�, the call will be routed using the new technology and the call will be routed to the correct dispatcher based on the computer�s instant analysis of the status of dispatchers, checking dispatch centers around the country. As a result of the new technology, dispatch centers in northern Israel, the Jordan Valley, Gilboa region and the Carmel-Asher regions will be combined. A large center will operate in Afula and the Carmel dispatch center will combine to Haifa. In some instances, additional centers will operate as a back up to existing centers.

MDA explains that the new system permits a human response to emergency calls in 3-5 seconds, a major step to cutting down response times nationwide. In addition, the new system permits dispatchers to communicate with vehicles in the field throughout the stages of a call, during response, treatment and when an ambulance heads to a hospital. MDA officials� add that members of emergency medical services around the world are coming to Israel for a first-hand look at this state-of-the-art system.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)