The restoration of a Cadet Program with the First Aid Squad was announced by Councilman James Murphy at last week’s meeting of the governing body, in giving his monthly report on the local volunteer unit.
Murphy made the announcement for Squad Chief Lance Hubeny and noted that the unit had been popular in years past when both this unit and one in Keyport were “known as the best along the Bayshore.” The councilman pointed out that many of the previous cadet members went on to become successful EMTs and finding success in other medical professions after their experience in the borough.
Murphy, with the enthusiasm of Hubeny, noted boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18 are invited to become cadet members, and added one of the benefits in addition to getting first aid experience from professionals in the field is their ability to ride on emergency calls. “These young members are the future of our squad,” Murphy said, “as well as the life blood of our community,” in urging teenagers to join.
Murphy also announced that the squad is continuing to accept bid cards, auction items or items for baskets for the annual PBA Ball which will be held May 25 at the Shore Casino. The First Aid Squad is this year’s recipient of the proceeds from the ball the department holds annually to assist worthy and hard-working organizations in the borough.
Murphy also announced Chief Hubeny’s report that five volunteers have now graduated from the Northern Monmouth EMT School and congratulated Brian Boms, Susa Doran, Amanda Stolte, Brandon DeSourz and Katie Lushekski for their dedication.
In order to be certified, each of the five had to complete 240 hours of class under a grueling schedule that included three-hour night classes twice a week in addition to full Saturdays and “hundreds of hours of study time outside the classroom.”
The May 4 graduation ceremony marked the first time in the history of the 95-year-old history of the borough squad, the councilman pointed out, that five members graduated from the EMT school together.
Murphy noted that the squad’s newly purchased used ambulance, acquired with funds the squad raised itself, has been titled, lettered, cleaned and fully stocked and went into service earlier this month, responding to six calls on its first day of service.
The vehicle, and the second one the squad owns can now respond to mutual aid calls in addition to better serving this community. The squad is making initial preparations to purchase a new vehicle, with the anticipated time for delivery more than two years distant. The squad’s Zodiac boat is also in the water, ready to respond to calls in the Marina to the breakwater.
The squad answered 30 calls during April for a total of 117 calls so far this year, averaging almost one call a day.
Residents desiring membership information in the squad or cadet program or interested in providing donations for the PBA fundraiser can call Chief Hubeny at 732-291-8118 or write info@ahfirstaid.org.
