Israeli paramedic Aron Adler, pictured, responds to attacks in east Jerusalem. Photo: Screenshot.

An Israeli paramedic talked to Vice News recently about the responsibility that comes with his job, and how it takes a toll on his life.

Aron Adler, who works for Magen David Adom and responds to near-daily incidents of Arab violence in east Jerusalem, said, “I’ve had nights where I haven’t slept and [have] woken up with nightmares. Been out of focus for days after some of these days. But when we’re there, we do what we’re trained to do.”

“When you go out to a call like this, in a way the weight of the entire country is on your shoulders,” he added. “When someone gets hit by a car, it’s his tragedy; it’s his family’s tragedy; his friends’. But on a national level, you don’t feel it. But when it’s a terror incident, it’s everyone’s child; it’s everyone’s friend.”

Trying to recall all the incidents he responded to within the last week, he said, “I’m not even sure what’s on what day any more. I’ve been to a few dozen attacks in the past six weeks.” He also described the scene after a Palestinian stabbing and shooting attack on a Jerusalem city bus in October 2015. He was in an ambulance taking victim to the hospital, and though he thought the patient still had a chance of survival, he turned out to be wrong, when the victim died minutes before arriving.

Looking back at the incident, Adler said, “It’s like a mixed feeling of guilt on the one-hand but, on another, you know that you did what you have to.”

Watch his interview below: