Senator Bill Weber Awards Hatzoloh Member With a Liberty Medal for Saving a Life on Flight

by Mindy Cohn

On January 25, on flight 571 from LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale, a female passenger collapsed in the aisle, as reported by Rockland Daily here. 

Naftali Schischa, an EMT and volunteer with Hatzoloh of Rockland ambulance services, heroically stepped in, offered medical aid, and saved the passenger's life. He also prevented the plane from being re-routed, permitting all the passengers to get where they needed to go on schedule.

On Erev Shabbos, March 23, Senator Weber awarded Naftali Schischa with a Liberty Medal at Hatzoloh of Rockland Headquarters. The Liberty Medal is the  highest honor that can be bestowed by a Senator. In this case, it was presented to recognize Naftali’s heroism. 

The New York State Senate Liberty Medal includes a resolution that gets voted on by the entire New York State Senate! Criteria for receiving a Liberty Medal include taking heroic, extraordinary action in service of others, such as law enforcement and first responders acting outside their job duties, above and beyond the call of duty. The Liberty Medal is a 2” diameter medallion accompanied by a presentation card, certificate, and a folder.

“Although our 250 EMTs and paramedics don’t look for accolades," Rabbi Yosef Chaim Golding ,Executive Director of Hatzoloh EMS of Rockland, shares with Rockland Daily,  "it feels good to be recognized once in a while for their every-day actions. We are proud of each and every Hatzoloh member, responding to some 15,000 calls – annually -- whether or not there is a photographer there to capture their heroics. Thank you, Senator Weber, for doing so.”

As mitzvah goreres mitzvah, it was entirely apropos that after the Liberty Medal presentation, Senator Weber and Hatzoloh of Rockland announced a free CPR training event to allow even more lives to be saved by those who will be in the right place at the right time to save even more lives.