SPOTSWOOD – It’s important for residents to know that, in a time of need, they can receive first-rate medical attention.
That’s what Spotswood officials are aiming for with the borough’s newly improved first aid squad building, and a new ambulance, both unveiled during a short ceremony at the Main Street facility June 29. About 40 people attended the ceremony, according to Councilwoman Marge Drozd, whose son, Jeffrey, helped make the first aid building improvements as part of attaining his Eagle Scout rank.
The improvements include new walls, a freshly painted building exterior, as well as new flooring and replaced ceiling tiles. The Scouts also tore down old paneling and put up Sheetrock in the building’s foyer, Drozd said. Thomas Barlow, who would take over as mayor two days later, ran the ceremony. Barlow’s mother, Diane, was president of the first aid squad from 1989-91. Another Barlow family member took part in the ceremony too. The mayor’s son, Liam, cut the ribbon to a new ambulance unveiled at the ceremony.
The town, after encountering a rash of bad luck with its ambulance fleet, was forced to purchase a new vehicle immediately at a cost of about $60,000. Drozd said the squad now has three operational ambulances, including one primarily used for backup purposes.
“We just got the brand-new ambulance, and it was certified by the state and is on the road,” she said.
Drozd also said the first aid squad may soon expand its services and provide medical transports.
“A lot of private ambulances do that as well, and it could be a source of revenue for the town,” she said.
The first aid squad served the town on an entirely volunteer basis for 65 years, but in 2006 a shortage of volunteers prompted the borough to hire paid employees to ensure that the town’s needs were met. Funding for the paid EMS workers comes from those who use the service and are insured.
“They could not get volunteers out anymore, with both parents working [in most families],” Drozd said. “They had to explore some other mechanism.”
The paid EMS service has been very successful, she noted, and even on occasion covers nearby towns including South River and Monroe.
The campaign team for the recently elected Barlow and councilmen Edward Seely and John Shaugnessy donated money to pay for the GPS systems installed in the ambulances.
During the ceremony, the borough unveiled a plaque honoring Jeffrey Drozd and Boy Scout Troop 84 for the work they did on the building.
“A lot of the troops came in uniform,” Drozd said of the ceremony.
“When before-and-after photographs were shown [of the building], people couldn’t believe how bad it had looked before,” she said.
Barlow said it was a “very nice” ceremony, and noted that the building looks great after the renovations.
“They did a tremendous job,” he said of the scouts.