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HIGHTSTOWN: Volunteers sought

First Aid Squad looks to expand its membership

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
    HIGHTSTOWN — The Hightstown First Aid Squad, founded in 1935, operates as the borough’s first-aid responders to a plethora of life-threatening emergencies ranging from traffic collisions to heart attacks.
    Today, the squad has a growing need for more volunteers.
    Alex Contreas joined the squad in 2005. After moving to Hightstown, Mr. Contreas decided to be an EMT during his free time.
    “It’s a skill you can take anywhere you want. It can save your neighbors, it can save your family or a complete stranger,” Mr. Contreas said during an interview with the Herald at the squad’s headquarters on Bank Street.
    Joining the Hightstown First Aid Squad as a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) proved to be quite inspirational for Mr. Contreas, who went on to become a nurse.
    Many members have served more than 20 years, said member Gene Sarafin.
    “By joining the First Aid Squad, you are joining a family of brothers and sisters,” said Mark Madonia, the squad’s acting captain.
    For those considering joining the squad, there is a six-month probation period prior to membership.
    “We will work around your schedule as much as possible,” Mr. Madonia said. “We want to make it enjoyable for you.”
    In its 2010 annual report, the New Jersey State First Aid Council reported volunteer EMTs saved the state of New Jersey $136 million.
    “It has to continue. It has to be salvaged,” said Barbara Aras, NJSFAC president, during a telephone interview Thursday.
    Both the Hightstown First Aid Squad and East Windsor Rescue Squad District 1 are members of the NJSFAC. This week, the New Jersey council is recognizing its first aid volunteers at the State House in Trenton as part of national Emergency Medical Service (EMS) week.
    For Mr. Madonia, it’s about neighbors helping neighbors through volunteerism.
    “We’re their neighbors who have decided to become medical technicians to help our neighbors. There is no pay because it’s strictly volunteer,” Mr. Madonia said. “We want to increase membership so we can keep it that way.”
    The squad currently has 20 active members.
    “The more members we have, the more services we could provide,” he explained.
    Within the squad, there are nine certified EMTs.
    “The goal is to double the amount of EMTs,” Mr. Madonia said.
    EMTs serve as an essential part of the squads’ ability to function successfully as only EMTs may touch patients.
    These trained volunteers provide “hands-on medical assistance” to people in need of emergency care, Mr. Madonia said. “You are doing what you can to ease their pain and save their lives.”
    In order to become an EMT, one must first become trained, then certified. This process requires a three-month-long course called EMT-B (basic). It’s offered at several locations including Dempster Fire Service Training Center in Lawrence and Princeton HealthCare System.
    “We will have our new members ride as observers until they are certified as an EMT-B so that they become a part of our team,” Mr. Madonia said.
    The Hightstown First Aid Squad is on call weekdays from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, its duty time is extended by two hours to 7 a.m.
    During the squad’s off-duty time, the Hightstown squad is covered by Capital Health ambulances through a contract between Hightstown Borough and East Windsor Township, Mr. Madonia explained.
    “Our squad currently has an agreement with Cranbury First Aid Squad, which covers us on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Our volunteers cover the other hours through duty crews,” he said.
    911 emergency calls are dispatched through Lifecom in Trenton.
    Mr. Madonia said that typically there are two or three calls on weeknights as well as two or three calls on weekends.
    Due to the current lack of new membership, a few members cover multiple shifts per week.
    “That’s a major burden for them,” Mr. Madonia said.
    For individuals seeking a medical career, earning an EMT certification can serve as a stepping stone.
    An EMT can become a paramedic with additional training, Mr. Madonia said.
    The Hightstown First Aid Squad meets on the third Wednesday of every month. To learn more about the squad and its volunteer opportunities, call 426-1512.