Lifesaving efforts of police,
first aid squad recognized
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — Saving a life is the greatest gift a person can give and that gift was recently given to a township resident by officers from the Manalapan Police Department and members of the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad.
At 6:50 p.m. Aug. 20 an emergency call was received that an adult male at the Manalapan Recreation Center needed medical assistance. Members of the first aid squad, the police department and MONOC paramedics were dispatched.
"The first emergency services person on the scene was Manalapan Police Officer Brian Cruise, who found a 59-year-old male patient not breathing, and with no pulse," said first aid squad Capt. John Hartman. "Officer Cruise connected his defibrillator to the patient and delivered one shock. The result was that the patient’s heart was started and the patient began to breathe."
A first aid squad ambulance with Hartman and other squad members, followed by the paramedics, arrived on the scene shortly after Cruise. The patient was transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, by the first aid squad.
According to Hartman, 10 days later the patient was released from the hospital and is now home doing fine.
"It is my opinion, as captain of the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad, that this patient is living due specifically to the quick actions of Officer Cruise and subsequent treatment by the first aid squad, paramedics and police," Hartman said.
He also credited the Township Com-mittee for allocating the funds, the Manal-apan Police Department administration for implementing a policy of having police officers trained in the use of the defibrillator, and Steve Ross, an exempt member of the first aid squad who has helped train police officers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of the defibrillator.
During a ceremony held during the Sept. 19 Township Committee meeting, the Heartstream Certificate of Recognition lifesaving award was presented to Sgt. Kevin Dunckley and police officers Ed Niesz, Pete Curran and Brian Cruise.
"Brian’s use of the defibrillator is the reason this man is alive today. He did an unbelievable job," Hartman said.
Additionally, the Heartstream award was presented to Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad EMT Capt. John Hartman, EMT Lt. Doug Tymczak, EMT Tom Campanelli, EMT Ira Shapiro, EMT Debra Ackerman, EMT Josh Matlin, Probationary Member Melanie Ostrowitz and Cadet Jeff Matlin.
Hartman said that during this particular emergency call he saw how cooperation really paid off.
"I see a lot of this, the use of the defibrillator," the captain said. "This is a true case of cooperation, work with the police, the township, spending the money to have this equipment in it. Definitely, without any doubt, I would have not seen the results of this man being alive today. Brian Cruise, and the rest of the department, and the first aid squad, and some medics saved this man’s life. The system works."
In honoring the police officers and first aid squad members, Mayor Rebecca Aaronson said, "There are countless residents who, I’m sure, owe you their lives and their gratitude. Anyone on the receiving end of any of your services knows that you are not only well trained, but there is compassion in what you do. For that we’re very grateful."
Police Chief John McCormack added, "I’ve always appreciated the close working relationship we have established with the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad. Just as the first aid squad does, we spend a lot of money and time training our officers for situations just like that. I think it’s wonderful that the first aid squad has recognized and honored these officers."