Ichud (United) Hatzalah is one of Israel�s major emergency medical service providers and it too is preparing for the snowstorm expected to hit the capital and other areas early this week.

Volunteers in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion are busy preparing for expected snowfall that may begin on Monday, Tu B�Shevat and the organization�s main nationwide dispatch center in Jerusalem is shifting to emergency status. Additional manpower will be manning emergency phones and radios. Anyone requiring the EMS service may dial 1221 from any telephone in Israel.

While the organization�s ambucycles may not be able to travel in some areas, the organization also works with volunteers, owners of four-wheel drive vehicles who volunteer during emergencies. In addition, the organization does maintain its own fleet of four-wheel drive and specialty vehicles as well as ambulances.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)