The impressive bright red bodywork of fire tuck 406 glistens as the hot midday sun beats down on the city of Rishon Letzion, Israel’s fourth-largest city located just south of Tel Aviv. News of another record-breaking heatwave is all anyone can talk about, yet, for Israel’s firefighters, the rising mercury brings a new set of challenges.
The Solomon's fire truck in Israel
In 2019, Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority’s 1,700 professional firefighters attended close to 100,000 incidents across Israel. From car crashes to small kitchen fires, and blazes started by incendiary balloons flown into Israel from Gaza, the Jewish state’s firefighters are usually first on the scene.
For The Villages’ (FL) Steve and Sharry Solomon, gifting a fire truck to the people of Israel through Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) was the ultimate way for them to express their support.
Steve, Sharry, (and Josh) Solomon
"We have always looked for ways to help other people both here in the US and Israel,” said Sharry Solomon as she reflected on the couple’s years of philanthropic work. “Providing a fire truck through JNF-USA meant our gift could be felt every day by Israelis from all walks of life. Our gift is literally working 24/7 for the land and people of Israel.”
Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority remains on alert as the country’s first responders not only respond to “regular” incidents faced by their colleagues in other countries such as house fires, medical emergencies, and gas leaks – in Israel, they must also attend to fires caused by terrorist activity – especially in the Gaza Envelope.
JNF-USA is the exclusive fundraising organization for Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority. Thanks to their support, American donors, synagogues, temples, and Jewish community groups have gifted over 170 fire trucks that serve communities from Eilat in Israel’s south to Kiryat Shmona in the north. In addition, 11 fire wagons (and counting) have been gifted by the JNF-USA’s supporters to agricultural regions throughout the Gaza Envelope and Gush Etzion region.
“It’s such a special feeling to see our fire truck out on the road helping Israelis in need,” said Steve Solomon. “There has never been a more important time to support Israel’s first responders and through our gift, we are providing world-class equipment to the brave Israeli men and women who save thousands of lives every year.”
Israel's firefighters face another hot summer
Sharry added: “The great thing about giving is that you don’t need to be wealthy to make an impact today. This is especially true with JNF-USA where you can give anywhere from $18 to plant a tree to a significant amount more to fund a medical center, water project, or fire truck”
The Solomon's generosity is recognized on each side of the fire truck
As Israel’s summer continues to heat up, JNF-USA is raising funds to ensure communities in the Negev and Galilee have the necessary fire-fighting equipment to protect lives, homes, and property. For more information, visit jnf.org/firefighting.