Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad

Atlantic Highlands, N.J. – The Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad has invested in and deployed a new Polaris HD UTV to respond to first aid emergencies along the newly opened 1.8 mile-long Bayshore Trail.

The all-volunteer emergency services organization made the purchase after identifying potential risks to borough residents enjoying the new trail.

The Bayshore Trail, while a wonderful resource for the area, presents unique challenges to the organization when planning for the potential for routine and serious injuries to our friends and neighbors, said AHFAS chief Richard Huff. After multiple discussions over the difficulties we would face in responding to emergencies along the trail, such as being unable to use our regular ambulances, we decided it was imperative to purchase the vehicle immediately.

The new Polaris HD has been equipped with a Medlite bed that will allow first responders to rapidly reach victims along the trail. The vehicle has been stocked with medical equipment, emergency lights, an AED and oxygen, to create the equivalent of a four-wheel mini-ambulance.

This is yet another example of the AHFAS identifying a need and reacting immediately to make sure our neighbors have the best possible care, said Lou Marotta, president of the AHFAS. The unplanned purchase took money out of our new ambulance replacement fund, but was a necessary expenditure to maintain our response standards.

Once the vehicle arrived, Marotta along with vice president Jerry Pandolfo, captain, Andrew Crawford, engineer, Tom Hayden, Mike Delatore and others spent nearly 50 man hours getting the vehicle ready to serve the residents of Atlantic Highlands.

The Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad has been around for 80 years and provides free, around the clock emergency medical services and rescue operations to area residents and occasionally surrounding towns. The organization operates on donations from the Borough of Atlantic Highlands and the residents.

The AHFAS was named the 2008 Volunteer EMS Organization of the Year by the New Jersey State Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services Office.

Members of the squad, who give their time to respond and train, have been conducting missions along the trail, and will continue to do so during the coming weeks.

Our members are dedicated to providing quality care to our residents, Huff said. The rapid purchase and deployment of this new UTV is yet another example of the organizations willingness to deliver professional care to residents, whether on land, on sea and now on the Bayshore Trail.

For information about joining or making a financial donation to the AHFAS please call our non-emergency number (732) 291-8118 or logon to www.ahfirstaid.org.