As May 14-20 is National EMS week, I am writing to update you and your readers on the Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad (KPFARS).
KPFARS is a 100 percent volunteer organization whose members live and respond to emergencies in the communities of Kendall Park, Franklin Park and Griggstown. When you call 9-1-1 and are sick or injured we come. In 2005 alone we responded to more than 1,600 emergency calls.
KPFARS has more than 44 current active members that cover our communities and provide mutual aid when needed to Monmouth Junction and Kingston First Aid Squads, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thirty six of our active members are N.J. State-certified EMT-Bs who come from various backgrounds, including lawyers, nurses, retirees, engineers, students, etc.
May is also the time when we begin our annual residence fund drive. KPFARS has no taxing authority and relies solely on contributions of the residents and some equipment and financial support from the township councils to operate. Our annual costs – such as insurance, vehicle maintenance, medical supplies (oxygen, bandages, etc.), utilities, etc. – have increased by more then 50 percent over the last five years.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, and continuing with the last year’s hurricane disasters, tremendous changes have impacted KPFARS. More protective clothing, more training, and more equipment is required. We need to be ready for more varied and dangerous contingencies. We recently were approved for a grant to upgrade and expand our personal protection equipment for hazardous conditions.
To meet the local funding requirement of the grant, replenish reserves from over three years of deficit spending in our operations, and to upgrade other emergency rescue equipment (i.e. Jaws of Life), we have initiated a fund drive soliciting the local businesses in the communities we service. This is the first organized request to the business communities in more than six years. While we have received support from the business communities in the past, we are hoping this drive meets the financial goals to obtain the equipment resources we need. This equipment – along with the many hours of volunteer training our members go through each year – will allow us to respond to any emergency and could save lives.
We hope all the residents and businesses will give generously to support the 100 percent volunteer Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad. If anyone desires more information on our fundraising needs, or is interested in volunteer service to their community, please call the squad at (732) 297-0621.
William Kennedy
KPFARS public relations officer