JACKSON – The Jackson Township First Aid Squad, which is based at 38 East Veterans Highway, will resume 24-hour coverage for the entire community on or about March 1.
Business Administrator Terence Wall announced that after 29 years, the first aid squad will once again provide coverage for the entire community, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Established in 1953, the Jackson Township First Aid Squad is a volunteer staffed emergency medical services agency which has been providing 911 ambulance service between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m., according to municipal officials.
The first aid squad started billing in 2015, which has enabled the organization to resume full-time operations. The squad has 68 volunteers and the chief is the only paid full-time employee, but plans call for the hiring of 25 part-time, per diem employees, according to Wall.
All members of the first aid squad have received training that exceeds the minimum amount of training required by law. The squad designates funding for training and its members are monitored and supported by a medical director, according to municipal officials.
Three trucks will provide daytime coverage and mirror Jackson’s existing emergency medical services provider, Quality Medical Transport, which is a private third party contractor.
The Jackson Township First Aid Squad will have first responders and supervisors during the same coverage time which will expand the capabilities of the crews by handling non-urgent calls and welfare checks, and provide assistance on serious calls, as well as establishing scene control and command if needed, according to municipal officials.
Mutual aid with surrounding agencies will also be used.
Municipal officials said there will be opportunities for individuals who cannot volunteer between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. to volunteer during daytime hours. They said the new coverage plan will allow Jackson Township First Aid Squad members who would like more experience to volunteer to ride with a paid crew during the day.