The Baltimore team is based at Ashkelon Station. Thanks to our volunteers, Ashkelonians can be elsewhere, whether serving with IDF units called for duty, spending time with their families, or helping other locations needing assistance. Each deployment lasts two weeks, during which volunteers give their all to help in emergencies.

EVP relies on support from The Associated to cover expenses like flights and insurance so volunteers can focus on their important work without worrying about costs.

The teams are certified by Israeli authorities, and Scott stresses the importance of understanding the country’s command structure and emergency protocols. Volunteers are trained to respond to earthquakes (since Israel is on a volatile fault line) and structural and field fires.

Donald Rubin, a fellow firefighter and EVP team member, fondly recalls the warm welcome they receive each time. “We build lasting relationships with the firefighters and medical teams we work alongside,” he says. Scott has even been invited to mitzvahs and weddings of his Israeli comrades.

Today, EVP has teams ready to deploy from all 50 states, a testament to the widespread commitment to emergency response. Interestingly, most of these volunteers aren’t Jewish, showing that the desire to serve transcends religious boundaries.

Leaving at the end of a deployment is always tough. Israelis often share that they feel forgotten by the world, especially following the October 7 attacks.

Scott and Donald reflect on their experiences, emphasizing that those in public service share a common drive to help wherever there is a need. Their dedication and passion are at the heart of EVP’s success and its ability to make a real difference in communities around the world.