Resolution 2023-32830RESOLUTION NO., 2023-32830
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A
DONATION OF $115,000 TO AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID
ADOM, INC., A NOT -FOR -PROFIT, 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, FOR A
PURCHASE OF AN AMBULANCE FOR THE USE BY MAGEN DAVID
ADOM IN ISRAEL, AND A DONATION OF $10,000 TO AMERICANS FOR
BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY, INC., A NOT -FOR -PROFIT, 501(C)(3)
ORGANIZATION, TO SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENTS,
FACULTY AND STAFF AT BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV;
AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HER DESIGNEE,
TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE DONATION.
WHEREAS, October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by terrorist organization Hamas have
targeted the people of Israel on Shabbat and during the Jewish holy days, resulting in the loss
of innocent lives; and
WHEREAS, the City condemns all acts of terrorism and violence targeting innocent
civilians, and acknowledges the resilience and courage of the people of Israel in the face of
these threats; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to donate $115,000 to American
Friends of Magen David Adom, Inc., a not -for -profit, 501(c)(3) organization, for a purchase of an
ambulance to assist with the on -going efforts to help survivors of the terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, Magen David Adorn ("MDA") is Israel's only government -mandated
ambulance and emergency medical responder, serving as Israel's second line of defense; and
WHEREAS, MDA's fleet of 700 MDA ambulances and Mobile Intensive Care Units travel
over 6.75 million miles a year, taking care of more than 700,000 patients annually; and
WHEREAS, considering the time -sensitive and urgent need behind this donation, the
Mayor and City Commission would also like to waive the requirement to refer any City donations
or expenditures exceeding $75,000 to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee for
discussion; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission also wish to donate $10,000 to Americans
for Ben-Gurion University, Inc., a not -for -profit, 501(c)(3)organization, to support the well-being
of the students, faculty and staff at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev ("BGU"); and
WHEREAS, at least twenty-three members of the BGU community were murdered by
Hamas on October 7, and a number of BGU employees and students who live near campus
have had their homes damaged or even destroyed as a result of this attack; and
WHEREAS, the City condemns all acts of terrorism and violence targeting innocent
civilians, and acknowledges the resilience and courage of the people of Israel in the face of
these threats; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to express its support and solidarity with the people of Israel
during these challenging times and offer its condolences to those affected by these acts of
violence; and
WHEREAS, South Florida, and the City of Miami Beach are home to a sizeable Jewish
population, and in 2013, the City became Sister Cities with Nahariya and Ramat Gan, Israel,
and
WHEREAS, the City and Israel have developed strong ties with Israel through cultural,
economic, educational, and diplomatic exchanges that have mutually benefited both
communities; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission find that the foregoing serves a municipal
purpose in view of the City's long-standing commitment to peace, and humanitarian principles
by helping the innocent victims of violence and contributing to the reconstruction and recovery
of affected communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach, . Florida, that the Mayor and the City hereby approve and authorize a donation of
$115,000 to American Friends of Magen David Adom, Inc., a not -for -profit, 501(c)(3)
organization, for a purchase of an ambulance for the use by Magen David Adorn in Israel, and a
donation of $10,000 to Americans for Ben-Gurion University, a not -for -profit, 501(c)(3)
organization, to support the well-being of the students, faculty and staff at Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev; and further authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute any and all
documents or agreements in connection with the donation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this W1 day of Oc r 23.
Dan Gelber, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rafael E. Grana o, City Clerk ':INLORP�ORATEDJ
(sponsored by Mayor Dan Gelber
Vice -Mayor David Richardson
Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Commissioner Ricky Arriola
Commissioner Steven Meiner)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
Citv Attorney
?t)
Date
10/20/23, 10:22 AM
Item Coversheet
0
New Business and Commission Requests - R9 AH
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
DATE: October 18, 2023
SUBJECT: DISCUSS/TAKE ACTION - TO DONATE $25,000 TO MAGEN DAVID ADOM (MDA).
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
As you know, Magen David Adom, as Israel's national emergency medical system, is playing a critical role as Israel suffers one of
the worst attacks in its history- I heard someone compare this to our Pearl Harbor- and how Israel is changed forever.
As of Sunday morning, over 2,300 rockets were launched against Israel from Gaza, as terrorists infiltrated Israel and began
indiscriminate and brutal killing. MDA immediately moved to highest alert and activated *every* vehicle — ambulances, mobile
intensive care units, medicycles, mass -casualty vehicles, Unimogs, bullet-proof ambulances and helicopters-- with a fleet with full
crews to provide critical pre:hospital treatment and transport with over 3;200 reported injuries and 1,300 people dead. MDA
medics that were sent to save lives were attacked, killed and some are believed to be kidnapped and being held hostage in Gaza.
This war obviously comes at a tremendous expense, and there is an emergency campaign to support what will be a HUGE'
expenditure of MDA resources.
The city of Golden Beach has donated $25,000 as Israel really needs all the support they can get. The casualties keep mounting.
Please support MDA and the people of Israel.
Multi -faceted in its mission and distinguished in its impact, Magen David Adorn (MDA) is an Israeli nongovernmental, non-profit organization
that serves the population of Israel in more ways than one. As the national provider of pre -hospital emergency medical care, and administrator
of blood banking services, MDA also responds to man-made catastrophes and natural disasters. As Israel's official Red Cross affiliate, it
delivers humanitarian relief and rescue initiatives internationally. MDA is a strategic asset to national security and foundational to the health and
safety of all Israelis.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a "Residents Right to Does this item utilize G.O.
Know" item,_pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes No
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
MDA Executive Summary.
https://miamibeach.novusagenda.com/AgendaWeb/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemI D=32736 1 /1
MAGEN DAVID ADOM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY — OCTOBER 2023
Multi -faceted in its mission and distinguished in its impact, Magen David Adom,(MDA) is an Israeli non-
governmental, non-profit organization that serves the population of Israel in more ways than one. As
the national provider of pre -hospital emergency medical care, and administrator of blood banking
services, MDA also responds to man-made catastrophes and natural disasters. As Israel's official Red
Cross affiliate, it delivers humanitarian relief and rescue initiatives internationally. MDA is a strategic
asset to national security and foundational to the health and safety of all Israelis.
MDA's origins date back to 1930, when doctors in Tel Aviv recognized the inadequacy of existing
emergency field medicine in the aftermath of Arab riots in British Mandate Palestine. Over time, MDA
evolved and expanded, and played a decisive role in the War of Independence, ultimately receiving its
official mandate by the Israeli Government. Despite the divisive political and cultural climate in the
region, MDA is a shining example of humanitarianism above all else. The composition of MDA's staff and
volunteers mirrors the diverse tapestry of Israeli society, and exemplifying coexistence and inclusivity, it
represents a people unified by one shared mission — saving lives.
MDA is the country's largest volunteer organization, with a critical contingent of 33,000 paramedics and
EMTs, and first reponders, 30,000 of which are volunteers. Israelis dial 101 in an emergency, and MDA
answers within seconds. With its primary dispatch center based in Kiryat Ono, it coordinates across
Israel's nine regions and 200 stations and outposts. In a typical year, 3,000,000 calls are fielded —
equivalent to one every 10.8 seconds; and 1,000,000 patients are treated and transported to Israeli
hospitals. Response times remain low because of its fleet of 2,200 vehicles, including 1,400 ambulances,
that grows each year.
The significance of blood banking became evident in. the years leading up to the establishment of Israel,
laying the foundation for how it is positioned within today's healthcare infrastructure. Through years of
experiencing external threats of terrorism, cyberwarfare, and natural disasters affecting the nation's
blood supply, the Marcus National Blood Services Center —the world's first shielded blood bank —
opened its doors in 2022.
Israel's climate of vulnerability has driven MDA's solutions -oriented approach, turning every crisis into
an opportunity. Its position as an industry pioneer in pre -hospital EMS technology, is leveraged by
Artificial Intelligence for rapid diagnostics and improved patient outcomes. Up until the 2006 Lebanon
war, the computer aided dispatch system had been outsourced, but it reached its limitations in one
decisive moment of attack. Forced to pivot, software coding was moved in-house, leading to the design
of a novel platform that could only be achieved in response to real -life scenarios. Precise geolocation
guides vehicles to unconventional locations in unpredictable circumstances. Ambulances are equipped
for remote visual monitoring of patients, and smart defibrillators transmit ECG results directly to the ER.
Additionally, internal data can be mined for predictive learning, which enables the allocation of
resources to where and when specific types of incidences frequently occur.
MDA is a strategic asset to national security. Situated in a region with hostile neighbors, MDA is
accustomed to expecting the unexpected .and adapting. After decades of war, repeat terrorist attacks,
and mass casualty incidents, it is aptly defined by its culture of emergency preparedness — not for if, but
when the next incident occurs. Fully integrated within the nationwide security alert system, when safety
is threatened, it activates as the auxiliary to the Israel Defense Forces.
MDA not only employs paramedics and EMTs, but also trains them. Paramedics are able to administer
immediate intervention, stabilization, and diagnostics. While other organizations in Israel train EMTs and
paramedics, MDA is the sole organization to certify them. Beyond emergency response, it fosters
supportive communities by offering public health and safety classes at local stations, including first aid
and CPR, defibrillator access, and preparedness for terrorist attacks. This assures that virtually anywhere
in Israel, there is someone who can save a life.