The day of decision has arrived for the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, and the decision made by the squad’s officers is not a good one for residents of Freehold Borough and Freehold Town-ship.
Officers of the squad said that a lack of volunteer members who are available to respond to daytime calls for service has prompted them to do something they have never wanted to do.
The squad has announced that beginning this month it will no longer respond to emergencies between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Instead, MONOC professional paramedics will respond and those who need assistance will be charged for that response and for treatment received.
The community’s volunteer first aid squad will continue to respond to emergency calls between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily and all day on weekends and holidays. That service will continue to be free.
In recent years the first aid squad has had to come to grips with a declining membership roster and changes in the job market that took members who did remain on call out of the area during the workday.
The directors of the proud volunteer organization, which was formed at the old A&M Kara-gheusian rug mill more than 60 years ago, could no doubt see this day coming, but it gave them no joy to make such an announcement.
Squad members are trying to recruit more members by visiting high schools and attending community events. The volunteer position requires the type of commitment that is no longer seen on a regular basis from people who call a town their home.
The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad has been one of the town’s most stalwart and recognizable organizations for more than six decades. It appears to be slipping away in a manner that does not befit the positive legacy its past and present members have established through their own hard work and outstanding dedication.
We encourage anyone who may be able to make a commitment to serve – and especially people who work in Freehold Borough or Freehold Township during weekdays – to consider calling a squad member for more information. The first aid squad may be reached at (732) 308-1515.