By John Tredrea, Special Writer
These are special young men and women. They study hard and train hard so they can help people — often people they have never seen before and may never see again — in moments of crisis.
Aged 14 to 18, they’re the dozen members of the Youth Squad of the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad (LNHARS).
The Youth Squad, mentored by 20-year LNHARS veteran Patrick Eckard, finished second in a field of seven youth squads at the Oct. 12 New Jersey First Aid Convention.
”There were two events at the competition,” Mr. Eckard said. “One was a simulated trauma emergency. The other was a simulated medical emergency. The squads were rated on how well they responded. Our group did real well. I’m proud of them.”
Lambertville resident Richard Roy, 17, is captain of the Youth Squad and is following in his parents’ footsteps.
”Both my parents are EMTs (emergency medical technicians) here,” he said. “At the competition, which had a western theme this year, the trauma scenario we had to deal with involved a man who had been injured by being thrown off a mechanical bull. We had to get him on a backboard and into an ambulance. There are strict procedures to follow doing that, because you don’t want to worsen any spinal or head injuries or other injuries the patient may have sustained from impact.”
The medical scenario involved a cardiac patient. “The patient was a woman, with a history of cardiac problems, having chest pains while weeding in her garden,” Richard said. “In a case like that, you ask if they take any medications and assist them in taking them if necessary. Then you put them on oxygen and get them to the hospital as quickly as you can, checking their vital signs often on the way while maintaining radio contact with the hospital.”
Richard joined the Youth Squad a year and a half ago. Asked why he joined, he said: “You’re helping people who need help. It shows you’re interested in other people.”
The squad meets for two hours every Sunday night at the station house. “We train, go over different scenarios,” Mr. Eckard said.
New members of the Youth Squad are trained in first aid and CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). When they’re 16, they can start riding the ambulance and begin the rigorous EMT training. Passing a state test is a requirement for becoming an EMT.
”Three of our youth squad members are EMTS now,” Mr. Eckard said. “A fourth is taking the EMT course now.”
Lambertville resident Dylan Trovato, 17, has been on the Youth Squad a year. A certified EMT, he’s ridden on many ambulance calls. “It’s a good thing to do,” he said. “It gives you confidence. It’s good to know you’re helping people who really need it.”

