The MDA Life Support Ambulance is an integral part of Magen David Adom’s ability to provide life-saving services. Its fleet of over 750 Life Support ambulances, fully equipped with an array of medical equipment and staffed by a professional Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) acting as a driver-medic and volunteer EMTs and first aid providers (youth and adults), is able to treat a wide range of patients from traffic accident victims, different types of trauma, resuscitations, births, and more. MDA needs to strengthen its fleet of ambulances with approximately 120 new vehicles every year due to significant wear and tear of daily use on older ambulances in service on average for 6 years, with a 10-year limit imposed by the Ministry of Transport.
Cost: AUD 160,000
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