WEST WINDSOR: Twin ‘W’ to the rescue of Sandy Hook

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   WEST WINDSOR – For the first time in almost 40 years, Sandy Hook will have its own ambulance, thanks to the Twin “W” first aid squad.
   The Twin “W” just donated its spare ambulance to the local emergency crew in Sandy Hook — one of the many Jersey Shore communities that is still struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The gift became official on March 22 when Twin “W” Chief Mike Leahy handed the keys to Tim Regan, the chief of the fire and EMS branch of the National Park Service.
   ”We realized we were doing something worthwhile to help a fellow rescue squad,” said Chief Leahy. “They need it more.”
   For nearly four decades, being without an ambulance was never much of an issue said John Warren, the Gateway National Recreation Area spokesman. With neighboring townships always ready to help, an ambulance was never hard to come by should the community need one.
   However, all that changed once Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, hitting the shore towns like Sandy Hook and its neighbors the hardest. Now, recovering shore communities need their ambulances more than ever, leaving Sandy Hook vulnerable — until now.
   ”We need to pick up the slack and this will help us do that,” said Mr. Warren, patting the side of their new ambulance.
   It’s coming at a particularly good time, too. As summer approaches and the temperature increases, so do injuries and calls for service at Sandy Hook. Mr. Regan estimated there are about 35,000 people at Sandy Hook on any given day. The squad takes about 125 people to the hospital a year and receives about 2,000 first aid calls annually.
   ”Since Hurricane Sandy, we haven’t been left with a lot,” said Mr. Regan. “When people need to go to the hospital, we have to get them there.”
   Mr. Leahy said the Twin “W” paid about $24,000 out of pocket for the extra ambulance, which is used as a rehab vehicle for firefighters during structure fires. Since the squad is donating the ambulance, the township agreed to help out Twin “W” with acquiring a new rehab vehicle. However, it appeared Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh thought it was well worth it.
   ””I am pleased that Twin ‘W’ First Aid Squad is donating this vehicle to the Sandy Hook Volunteer First Aid Squad as it embarks on rebuilding and restoring this beautiful shore community,” said Mayor Hsueh. “I applaud Twin ‘W’ for coming to the aid of the Volunteer First Aid Squad in its time of need in serving the residents of Sandy Hook.”