The Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. The literal meaning of name is "Red Shield of David," but the symbol is more frequently called the "Red Star of David" in many languages. Since June 2006, Magen David Adom has been officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the national aid society of the State of Israel under the Geneva Conventions, and a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. MDA has a dedicated medical emergency phone number in Israel, 101.
MDA can become an auxiliary arm of theĀ Israel Defense ForcesĀ during times of war. In 2022, MDA became academically affiliated with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Following the October 7th attacks against Israel, the American Red Cross presented Magen David Adom with the International Humanitarian Service Award stating that the organization "exemplifies and inspires the humanitarian values of human dignity, respect, [and] compassion."
The Red Magen David headquarters in Jerusalem
Armored mobile intensive care unit, Jerusalem District 2006
Helicopter of Magen David Adom
An MDA motorcycle used by a community first responder in Jerusalem's Old City
An ambulance is a medically-equipped vehicle used to transport patients to treatment facilities, such as hospitals. Typically, out-of-hospital medical care is provided to the patient during the transport. Ambulances are used to respond to medical emergencies by emergency medical services (EMS), and can rapidly transport paramedics and other first responders, carry equipment for administering emergency care, and transport patients to hospital or other definitive care. Most ambulances use a design based on vans or pickup trucks, though others take the form of motorcycles, buses, limousines, aircraft and boats.
A Ford E-Series ambulance with its emergency lights on in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Early car-based ambulances, such this 1948 Cadillac Meteor, were sometimes also used as hearses.
Elizabeth II (then Princess) next to a British Army ambulance in 1945
A New York City Fire Department ambulance bus in 1949