MDA israel

MDA's New ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle)

This week, the first of its kind operational driving training was held for 16 medics and paramedics from the Yarkon and Lachish regions to learn to drive MDA's new ATV. The training was held in the Ben Shemen forest and included both safety and driving operations in off road conditions. The Ben Shemen forest was chosen as an ideal location to simulate the various terrains on which these vehicles will be used due to the nature of the forest and its own varied terrain. The new vehicle, specially outfitted by Can-Am to fit their Traxter model includes emergency lights and sirens as well as brackets for the special stretcher to evacuate patients from such conditions. To date, two such vehicles are in service in Herzliya and Ashdod to provide services along the coastal regions.

As part of the training, the drivers were given professional guidance for operational driving, enabling them to reach and evacuate a patient in off road conditions. The vehicles are outfitted to provide emergency care identical to that of the ambulance until the team can transfer the patient to an ambulance for evacuation to the hospital.

MDA Deputy Director General of Operations, Gil Moshkowitz: "MDA is using the ATV's and ambulance equipment to enable a rapid and safe response to each patient who may need us in the off road locations. We make sure that in addition to maintaining a high level of medical professionalism, the members of this unit are able to maintain a high level of professional driving, and we continue to invest in their training."