Orianne Lucatz: A story of heroism
They say that the next Hamas target is the towns in Israel's Sharon region. If you ask us, it'll never work, especially because of one special paramedic called Orianne
Orianne Lucatz is a mother of two and lives in Kfar Neter. She's the MDA manager for the Sharon Region stations. Like everyone, she awoke on October 7 to a new reality.
"I'd just finished a night shift in Netanya. As soon as the rocket fire began, I headed to the regional dispatch center, and made a rapid shift into emergency mode. The calls were received in our region too, since the rocket fire targeted the whole country. Thankfully, there were no casualties in this region, but that doesn't mean that we aren't in touch with our friends in the north and south who have faced an impossible war over the past 8 months.
"My daughters were instantly aware of how important MDA is during the war, and how important my role is. The entire organization has been working hard, and even though they were nervous when they saw me measuring a helmet and bulletproof jacket, they knew that I would always make sure they are safe and only then head out to my critical mission of saving lives.
"The thing that gives me strength is the knowledge that the reason behind this war is to bring the hostages home. It is knowing that all my friends who fought to save lives, and some who paid the ultimate price, did so with one aim – that our country will continue to exist, and that our children will continue to live here in safety and security. My colleagues give me strength too, keep me sane, sometimes with humor and just the fact that we work together, think together. And we wish for this all to be over, to listen to good music, to save lives. I live in hope."
What does Orianne think about the possibility of a war in the Sharon region, or the north? "If the war gets worse, I have no doubt that I will be here, fighting to save lives alongside my colleagues and managers. After losing many friends and colleagues on that terrible Shabbat, I don't think that there's anyone in the country who hasn't been affected. I pray for better days, and hope to feel some relief soon.
