August 2025
Dear Friends,
Hatzalah of Metrowest (HMW), is proud to announce the launch of our new Paramedic Program, established through a vital partnership with Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health (RWJBH). This exciting update to our services, will significantly enhance emergency medical care for all of us in West Orange, Livingston, and the surrounding communities.
This groundbreaking initiative means that HMW can now administer Advanced Life Support (ALS) services directly to those in need, offering the highest level of pre-hospital care available in New Jersey. This is a monumental upgrade from the Basic Life Support (BLS) services we have proudly provided since 2021, and it's an effort that has been more than two years in the making.
What does this mean for you and your loved ones?
The introduction of ALS brings a critical upgrade in care directly to your doorstep. While BLS focuses on fundamental life-saving techniques, ALS care is delivered by highly-trained paramedics and includes a broad range of advanced medical interventions:
Advanced Airway Management: Sophisticated techniques to ensure breathing is supported, crucial in severe respiratory distress or unconsciousness
Intravenous (IV) Therapy and Medication Administration: The ability to establish IV access and deliver over 40 critical medications directly into the bloodstream for rapid treatment of conditions like cardiac events, severe allergic reactions, pain, and more
Cardiac Monitoring and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Interpreting complex cardiac rhythms, administering specialized cardiac medications, and performing advanced interventions like defibrillation for life-threatening heart conditions
Advanced Trauma Care: More comprehensive management of severe injuries, including fluid resuscitation and specific interventions to stabilize patients with significant trauma
Why is this so important right now?
We recognized a significant unmet need in our community regarding the availability of ALS. There is a shortage of providers throughout New Jersey, leading to delays in response times for our most critically-ill or injured patients. Through our partnership with RWJBH, HMW will increase ALS availability, drastically reduce these critical response times, and ensure that our most at-risk patients receive immediate, advanced clinical care that can make a profound difference in their lives.
You will begin to see our first Paramedic vehicle, currently stationed in West Orange, on the road, and we look forward to the expansion of this initiative over time.
This program underscores HMW’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest standard of emergency medical care to our neighbors with speed and compassion. We are incredibly grateful to RWJBH for their continued partnership.
How you can help:
This vital service has been made a reality through the incredible generosity of members of our community, who have already donated over $150,000. To continue and expand this crucial program, your ongoing support is essential. Every donation helps us maintain and grow this life-saving service for our community.
Please consider making a donation today to support Hatzalah of Metrowest and ensure the highest level of pre-hospital care is always available when you need it most.
For more information please e-mail us info@hatzalahmetrowest.org or, to donate, please visit www.hatzalahmetrowest.org/donate.
With deepest gratitude,
The Volunteers of Hatzalah of Metrowest