Would you know what to do in the first seven minutes of an emergency?
That was the reality one man in the city of Ramla, Israel faced during a terror attack. He had been stabbed in the leg; the bleeding was severe and life-threatening.
When paramedic Aryeh Myers arrived, representing the organization Magen David Adom, a bystander had already stepped in. The person had no formal medical background— only having taken a first-aid course 20 years earlier — and they had no tourniquet available. Using a belt as an improvised tourniquet, the bystander controlled the bleeding until professional teams arrived. The civilian’s quick, decisive action saved a life.
That principle is at the heart of “The First Seven Minutes,” a lifesaving training program developed by Magen David Adom — a volunteer-based emergency response team somewhat comparable to the American Red Cross — and brought to communities in the United States by American Friends of Magen David Adom.
“The project is called ‘The First Seven Minutes’ because that’s the average time it takes for first responders to reach an emergency,” said Aryeh Myers, a senior paramedic with Magen David Adom.
On Feb. 4, AFMDA brought this training to Long Beach, partnering with the Long Beach Fire Department to host a specialized training program for emergency professionals serving Long Island’s South Shore.
More than 45 fire chiefs, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and health professionals attended, representing departments within the 2nd Battalion Fire District, which includes Baldwin, Freeport, Island Park, Long Beach, Oceanside and Point Lookout-Lido.
The 2nd Battalion Fire District receives one of the highest numbers of emergency calls on Long Island, making preparedness a constant priority. The training, led by Myers, emphasized practical, lifesaving actions that anyone on the scene can take immediately in a mass casualty situation, from active shooter attacks to large-scale accidents, before ambulances and additional resources have an opportunity to arrive.
The event was born when AFMDA supporter and Fire Commissioner Alan Greenfield, MD, decided to combine his two passions for a meaningful cause. Believing there is no better teacher than someone who has lived through these kinds of emergencies, Greenfield, who attended medical school in Tel Aviv, spearheaded the program to bring firsthand lifesaving experience to Long Island.
Drawing on Magen David Adom’s experience responding to mass casualty incidents in Israel, the training addressed not only violent attacks, but also fires, building collapses and other large-scale emergencies. Hands-on simulations reinforced the program’s central message: in an emergency, early action can save lives.
Scott Kemins, deputy fire commissioner for the City of Long Beach, said the program provided valuable insights for those who regularly respond to emergencies.
“The first 7-minute training program is an excellent resource for the public,” he said. “It is crucial for individuals to be aware of their surroundings and to understand how to respond to potential shooting incidents, including the appropriate protocols to follow.”
By partnering with local fire departments, such as the LBFD, AFMDA continues its mission to bring MDA’s lifesaving expertise to communities beyond Israel, strengthening preparedness in schools, houses of worship, and community institutions.
As Myers emphasized, the “first seven minutes” matter.
Reading this article took just a few minutes, very likely less time than it would take for first responders to arrive at an emergency scene. In that brief window, knowledge, calm and decisive action can turn ordinary bystanders into lifesavers.
