Dispatch from Israel: Jewish National Fund-USA and the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority

For 15 years, Jewish National Fund-USA has supported the country’s first responders, providing fire engines and state-of-the-art rescue equipment. However, traditional fires are no longer the only concern. On October 7, that support made it possible for first responders to rapidly help over 42 communities on the border with Gaza. With 3,500 professionals and 2,000 volunteer firefighters who serve their communities, the support goes a long way.

“Jewish National Fund-USA’s philanthropic investments help our volunteers who are vital to supporting our efforts in the field,” said Itzik Oz, commander of the Southern District Fire Department. In southern Eshkol, which was the heaviest hit region on October 7, the volunteer firefighter brigade and first responders played a crucial role in protecting the community.

“They were the only ones that had the ability and geographical knowledge to answer these calls and address these emerging situations,” said Yoel Rosby, Project Manager at Jewish National Fund-USA, describing the advantages of community-based volunteers.

Jewish National Fund-USA’s contributions include personal protective gear, fire station necessities, fire truck equipment, and approximately 250 firetrucks, as well as a series of Emergency Response Centers. These spaces centralize and streamline fire and rescue, medical services, security services, and initial interventions for resilience and psychological services. At the new Jewish National Fund-USA Volunteer Fire Station in Kibbutz Eilon in northern Israel, donated by Penny Rosen, chair of the organization’s Fire and Rescue Task Force, centralization produces a more efficient, and rapid response. She said, “The people of Kibbutz Eilon deserve to be just as safe from any emergency as those in Tel Aviv, and I am so proud to be part of Jewish National Fund-USA’s work bringing that protection to this beautiful community. Keeping our frontiers safe is what will enable them to grow and flourish, and emergency services are absolutely key to that progress.”

To learn more about the Fire and Rescue Task Force or get involved, contact Sara Hefez at shefez@jnf.org or Joshua Mellits at jmellits@jnf.org