113448382309722489f73eebfb14a969.jpg

MANVILLE: Squad makes its presence known

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   This week May 15-21 is Emergency Management Service week to thank all the volunteers who help and give of their time. Those include the first aiders, firefighters and police. The Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad is active in the community and they are trying different events to help the community and make their presence known that the rescue squad is always here for the residents.
   A few weeks ago, the Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad members gave up their Saturday and stationed themselves at Wal-Mart and Quick Chek to provide free blood pressure screening.
   Second Lt. Robyn Barb said, “We wanted to have a fundraiser each month and I figured spring everybody is out. We set up in front Wal-Mart and did some blood pressures to show the community that we are active.”
   Saturdays are busy at Wal-Mart and Sue Asher, who is an advocate for the Rescue Squad, received permission from Wal-Mart to have the blood pressure tables. Squad members were also at Quick Chek doing the same. Some of the members were also out with donation cans at the locations also. There are possibilities that more blood pressure screening days will be upcoming.
   Lawrence Frenkel of Somerset stopped by to have his blood pressure taken. “I think this is a great idea — really superb. Very necessary, very important catching high blood pressure early and doing something is life saving,” he said He was just going into Wal-Mart and stopped to take advantage of the blood pressure screening and said it was a little lower than normal.
   ”This was to show the community that we are out there and struggling for money and it has been rough for everyone. Instead of just standing out there begging, we could offer them something in return. Just to show them that we are out there and we are trying to make a difference,” Ms. Barb said.