Saving Lives Globally
Photo courtesy of Dorin Esfahani
Written by Tom Müller
Internationally lauded for his expertise in disaster response and preparedness, Felix Lotan, the Head of Magen David Adom's Emergency Preparedness Department, is the epitome of selfless service in the face of catastrophes. With a career spanning over 23 years, he brings immense insight into the world of disaster response, from earthquakes in Turkey and Nepal to hurricanes in Texas.
Photo courtesy of Dorin Esfahani
One key principle underpins Lotan's extensive experience: cooperation. As he explains, "One of the most important things is cooperation. Cooperation between different organizations... the community that had a disaster is vital and crucial in the response. So if everybody knows how to cooperate, the response will be much better."
This ethos of cooperation extends to emergency preparedness. Lotan emphasizes that disaster preparation requires a nuanced understanding of the threats unique to each area and the potential impact on communities. "What is most important is preparation. To understand the area's challenges, prepare a response accordingly," he advises.
Lotan's experience doesn't stop at preparation; he has witnessed the raw reality of disaster response in various contexts. He recounts the February earthquake rescue mission in Turkey, where international teams, including Turkish and Israeli groups, worked in tandem to save a 65-year-old man trapped in the rubble for over 65 hours. This mission epitomizes the human capacity for resilience, teamwork, and compassion.
Photos courtesy of Dorin Esfahani
Further, Lotan recognizes the essential role community awareness plays in disaster preparedness. "People should know where they live... understand the threats they have... completing a small family preparedness plan one day a year," he suggests. His call to action is grounded in empathy and realism, acknowledging that while living life fully is crucial, a modicum of preparedness can make a world of difference when disaster strikes.
On balancing immediate action and long-term strategic planning, Lotan notes that it begins with threat analysis. "We need to analyze the threats... And when I'm doing the strategic planning, I'm thinking about what can happen... And then you organize everything according to those plans."
Lotan's work is deeply tied to the support of organizations like the American Friends of Magen David Adom, who aid in providing essential resources. He concludes, "the support we receive from American Friends of MDA... and the work we do together, like the work we did together this week in LA... it's all on behalf of saving as many lives as possible."
As we navigate an increasingly uncertain world, figures like Felix Lotan remain a beacon of preparedness, displaying unwavering dedication to saving lives and reminding us of the power of cooperation, empathy, and preparedness.
To learn more about the work of Magen David Adom, contact Dorin Esfahani, Director of Major Gifts in the Los Angeles office, at desfahani@afmda.org or 323.248.9532.