Hatzalah (pronounced: hots-uh-luh) is the Hebrew word for rescue. Since it is a Hebrew word there is no "correct" way to spell it in English. There are many other variations to its English spelling, including: Hotzolah, Hatzolah, Hatzoloh, Hotzoloh, Hatzola, and many more. We usually use the spelling "Hatzalah" because it is the most commonly used one.

In Hebrew we all agree that it is spelled הצלה!!

Every member of Hatzalah will minimally be a licensed EMT with (NREMT) National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician certification as required for an EMS organization by the State of Ohio. Each member will be required to maintain licensure and complete all necessary (CE) continued education.

Hatzalah as an Ohio EMS organization will additionally require all members to have high level of skills and maintain the sharp skills by continued response to medical emergencies.

Hatzalah will also be training the members on the necessary medical halachos of Shabbos and tznius.

Hatzalah is NOT currently active. For ALL emergencies CALL 911

Hatzalah EMT’s and Paramedics are trained to assess and treat a wide range of medical emergencies, including:

• Cardiac emergencies

• Choking

• Diabetic emergencies

• Difficulty breathing

• OB/GYN emergencies

• Automobile accidents

• Severe allergic reactions

• Severe burns

• Severe bleeding

• Severe wounds

• Slips and falls resulting in serious injury

All these examples have one thing in common: they are situations that are either life-threatening or have the potential to be life-threatening.

Hatzalah was founded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn by Rabbi Hershel Weber in 1965, with a vision to improve rapid emergency medical response in the community. The idea soon spread to other Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in the New York City area, and eventually across regions, countries, and continents.

Hatzalah of Cincinnati, founded in 2024, Our primary goal is to provide trained volunteers capable of responding to any type of emergency with the skills and equipment necessary to provide competent medical care. Since our volunteers are local, we may often be at an emergency within one-to-three minutes of the call coming in to our dispatchers. Our goal is to have an average on-scene arrival of less than three minutes.

Another benefit of Hatzalah is the cultural sensitivity of the members with training of necessary Halachah.

Yes. Continuing education training is mandatory, and enables us to provide the best care possible. Our EMT‘s are required to attend periodic continuing education classes and/or drills, which ensures that each EMT will keep their skills current and ready when called upon in an emergency. Additional to the state requirements, Hatzalah has our own internal standard of ensuring and maintain the sharp skills of our members.

Aside from the federally-mandated HIPAA law, which legally prohibits healthcare providers from disclosing protected information to anyone other than a patient and the patient’s authorized representatives without their consent. Hatzalah’s priority is to protect the privacy of these we treat. Please do not ask any Hatzalah member about any emergency call or patient.

Hatzalah is a community organization operating under the auspices and direction of the local Rabbonim that provides Halachic guidance and guidance in all aspects of the organization. As mandated by our Rabbis, Hatzalah is totally independent and is not affiliated with any other Cincinnati organization. We are, however, an affiliate of Central Hatzalah of New York, the oldest and largest volunteer emergency response organization in the world.

Hatzalah is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation funded only through private donations. One hundred percent of every dollar donated goes to fund Hatzalah operations, which includes equipment, training and operational costs. All Hatzalah personnel are unpaid volunteers. Please use our donation page to donate, email us at info@cincinnatihatzalah.org for dedication opportunities, Hatzalah never charges a fee to anyone receiving emergency patient care.

We are always interested in receiving new applications for volunteer EMT’s, and dispatchers. Please fill out the volunteer form on our website or email info@cincinnatihatzalah.org for more information. Expansion of Hatzalah services is completely dependent on having local residents volunteer to provide coverage in their communities.

Email info@cincinnatihatzalah.orgsomeone will get back to you.

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