The First Responder MDA Medicycle unit is an integral part of the organization’s ability in providing lifesaving services. Its ability to manoeuvre quickly between the heavy traffic of highly congested cities such as Jerusalem & Tel Aviv enables MDA’s volunteer First Responders the ability to reach a patient or victim within 2-4 minutes.
MDA’s Medicycle fleet today has some 650 First Responder Medicycles carrying the equivalent lifesaving abilities of a life support ambulance, equipped with an array of medical items from an AED (defibrillator) to a comprehensive first aid medical kit and a portable oxygen tank and even a compact and sterile birth kit.
A professional volunteer EMT or paramedic who is able to treat a wide range of patients and emergencies from traffic accident victims, different types of trauma, resuscitations, births, and more is allocated the Medicycle that is with the volunteer 24/7.
Cost: AUD 50,000
Sponsor Rescue Vehicle Operating Costs
As an NGO, MDA relies entirely on the generosity of donors to fund all its rescue vehicles. Operating an ambulance involves significant expenses, including vehicle maintenance, fuel, and consumable medical equipment. Fees collected from Israel’s HMOs (Health Maintenance Organisations) offset a percentage of these expenses. The remainder is funded by donations. During emergencies, MDA ensures that all ambulances nationwide are fully staffed to provide immediate life-saving care in multiple locations simultaneously. This operational commitment greatly increases the costs associated with running and maintaining the fleet of rescue vehicles. As part of a sponsorship, donors may request recognition on the vehicle they support.
Annual operating costs for rescue vehicles:
- Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU): AUD 34,000
- Life Support Ambulance: AUD 30,000
- Medicycle: AUD 10,000