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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.
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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, N.J. – The Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad has kicked off its annual fund drive with a letter to all residents of the borough.
Each year, members of the squad reach out to the community seeking donations, which are then used directly to fund the all-volunteer emergency services and rescue organization.
“We realize we’re reaching out at a difficult time for many,” said AHFAS president Lou Marotta. “However, we depend on the generosity of our friends and neighbors to purchase supplies, maintain our ambulances and to continue providing professional EMS services for free to the community.”
The organization provides EMS and rescue services to the community on a 24-hour basis. Dedicated members give their free time for training and to respond to calls, which range from minor cuts, to serious injuries. They do so, day or night, and often at the expense of time with their families.
Members responded to 382 calls in 2008, and devoted combined more than 3,000 hours volunteering to answer calls and training to assure residents get the best care. They also recently donated a night of their time to label more than 2,000 envelopes for the fund drive.
AHFAS members also train for rescue and EMS operations on water and ice. The squad operates and maintains a marine rescue compliment of an 18-foot Boston Whaler and a Zodiac. The squad also handles and maintains equipment for vehicle extrication operations.
The squad’s dedication to the community led to it being named the 2008 Volunteer EMS Organization by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Besides answering emergency calls, the squad operates the annual Santa visits through town, and offers first aid and CPR training to community groups.
Residents can find information on donating to the organization, or becoming a member at www.ahfirstaid.org or by calling the squad’s non-emergency number, (732) 291-8118.
“The cost of providing these services, like everything, continues to increase year-to-year, meaning we depend more on the community now than ever,” said squad treasurer Walter Curry. “Every donation, no matter the size, helps.”
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President Barack Obama’s urging of Americans to “find meaning in something greater than themselves” is already in play with a group of Atlantic Highlands teenagers who are part of the Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad’s Cadets program. The students who take part in the program are all volunteers and are learning how to be future first aid members, and ultimately give back to their community in a larger way. "The cadets bring youthful energy to our squad and increase the dynamics of our already diverse and interesting membership,” said Andrew Crawford, captain of the AHFAS and one of the Cadet advisers. The Cadet program of the Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad is open to students between the ages of 14 and 17. Members participate in group outings, learn basic first aid and CPR skills, and, once they’re 16 years old can ride on real emergency calls. Cadet members meet once month under the guidance of advisers Tom Hayden, Bill Mount, and Crawford. Mount’s son Michael, is one of the longest-tenured Cadets on the squad. The program is designed to give students a taste of the all-volunteer organization, while also learning important people and medical skills that could come into play later. "We are developing the emergency responders of tomorrow and being able to reach them at such a young age helps to ensure that quality emergency care continues in the future,” Hayden said. More important, at a time when the President is asking everyone to help the country, the students are gaining invaluable and behind-the-scenes information, about being a good volunteer and how important it is to give back. The Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad is an all-volunteer organization that provides free around-the-clock emergency medical service and rescue operations to the area. The AHFAS operates on donations from the borough and the residents. For information about the organization, becoming a volunteer, or the cadet program call the squad’s non-emergency number (732) 291-8118 or log onto ahfirstaid.org. “The Cadet program is vital to the future of the Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad,” said Richard Huff, chief of the organization. “We bank on members of the Cadet team becoming the future leaders of this organization. More important, they will go on to become productive members of the Atlantic Highlands community.” |
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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ - The Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad began the New Year with the installation of a new roster of officers. Richard Huff has been named chief of the all-volunteer EMS and rescue organization, marking the first time in the organization's nearly 80 years that a member has held that title. Andrew Crawford has been named captain, and Ray Stoever, second lieutenant. "The new officer structure better prepares us for the future," Huff said. "For the coming year we've got an excellent mix of experienced EMS professionals in place who are dedicated to serving the community." The focus for 2009 is on continuing to provide top-notch emergency medical services and rescue operations around the clock, while also growing the organization, Huff said. Also taking office on January 1st, were president, Lou Marotta, who begins his fifth consecutive year in that position. Jerry Pandolfo, who served as captain for the previous four years is the vice president. Walter Curry returns as treasurer, John Ligon as secretary, and Bev Glynn as assistant secretary. The Atlantic Highlands First Aid & Safety Squad provides free around-the-clock EMS services to the community. Dedicated members all volunteer their time for training and to respond to calls big and small. The organization operates on donations from the borough and the community. For information about the squad, log onto www.ahfirstaid.org or call the organization's non-emergency number (732) 291-8118. "We're all excited and extremely proud to lead this group of dedicated men and women," said Huff. "Past captain Jerry Pandolfo and the Executive Board created a fantastic foundation for the new line officers to build upon. "The AHFAS is coming off an incredible year that saw the squad being named the best volunteer EMS organization by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services and having staged a major multi-agency, mass-casualty drill in town," Huff added. "We look forward to carrying on that legacy." |
