International Magen David Adom Committee Conference (IMDAC) 2025 Bolsters Support for Israel’s Future Emergency Response Needs
- The LA Jewish Home
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 12
MDA international societies review crisis response following two years of war
November 11, 2025 – Ramla, Israel – The annual International Magen David Adom Committee Conference (IMDAC) convened last month, in which the leaders of MDA friends’ societies drew insights from the organization’s wartime operations and rallied around plans for Israel's future emergency response needs.
During the three-day conference in Israel from Oct. 19-21, participants visited MDA field stations, met with rescuers and survivors of the October 7th attacks. Delegates also visited the Ramat David Airbase near Rehovot for a briefing on Israel’s aerial capabilities.
The IMDAC conference serves as MDA’s central forum for aligning international support with organizational priorities. Delegates, from eight chapters of MDA international Friends’ Societies, received direct briefings from MDA leadership, including insights from field responders involved in June’s 12-day war with Iran and recent terror attacks. They also heard from Tal Shoham, a former hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri, who spoke about MDA’s crucial role in mass-casualty response.
Beyond the strategic briefings, society heads embarked on an intensive tour across Israel designed to showcase both MDA’s diplomatic standing and its operational depth. They attended a reception hosted by President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem to mark 95 years of MDA’s lifesaving operations. Ambassador Gilad Erdan, MDA Global President, addressed the gathering and thanked President Herzog for his longstanding support of Israel’s national emergency services system. Gershon Trimpol, Chairman of IMDAC and Vice Chairman of AFMDA, made remarks on behalf of all the MDA Friends’ Societies.
The group also dedicated 23 emergency vehicles, a helicopter from the Canadian friend's association, as well as a new wing at the Emergency Medical Training & Simulation Center at MDA headquarters in Ramla, generously donated by AFMDA Vice Chairman Kurt Schwartz and his wife Susan. MDA Director-General Eli Bin thanked the group for their partnership and presented his vision for MDA as the organization approaches its centennial in five years. The US delegation was led by AFMDA’s National Chairman Mark D. Lebow.
Gershon Trimpol, Chairman of IMDAC and Vice Chairman of AFMDA, said “this year’s IMDAC conference truly reflected our shared values of compassion, unity, and an unwavering commitment to the sanctity of life. In Ramla, Haifa, and Julis we were privileged to be joined by outstanding leaders, medics, and paramedics from Magen David Adom, who devote themselves each day to serving the people of Israel. On behalf of IMDAC, and Magen David Adom’s leadership, I thank you for your dedication, generosity, and partnership. You are not only supporters of an organization; you are guardians of a sacred mission – to preserve life and human dignity wherever they are in danger.”
About Magen David Adom
MDA is Israel’s emergency services system. A leader in mass-casualty response and in EMS technology, Magen David Adom treats and transports over 1 million people to hospitals every year; collects, safety tests, and distributes nearly all the blood to Israel’s hospitals; and, through its affiliation with the Red Cross movement, responds to disasters around the world. For more information, visit afmda.org.
Comments