Holmdel First Aid Squad is fast approaching and will eclipse the 1,400 call mark in 2008 as it answered over 120 calls in the month of November. The Squad also held its annual elections in November for line and administrative officerships in 2009. Levent Sasmazel was re-elected as Captain as were First Lieutenant Lynn Davis and Second Lieutenant Evelyn Puig. The members elected Bob Bliss as Third Lieutenant along with Paul Fellingham as Engineer and Steve Wolkovitz as Assistant Engineer. The administrative officers for 2009 are President Mike Nikolis, VP Dave Lewinski, Treasurer Maureen Dronne and Ali Daneshmand as Squad Secretary.

HFAS members also taught Disaster Medical Operations for the Bayshore Area Citizens for Emergency Response Team (“CERT”) on December 6th. Topics covered in the day long event included the identification and treatment life threatening condition as well as approaches for triaging patients. The CERT students learned first aid skills such as conducting rapid head-to-toe assessments on trauma patients and splinting. 1st Lt Davis reported that it was a very lively class, with students who were very motivated to learn how to help in local disasters. She also noted that HFAS members also learned skills from the experienced NJ CERT members who supervised the class. Also participating in the day were Captain Sasmazel, Ali Daneshmand, Jason Johnson and several of the Squad’s explorer members.

For further information on HFAS activities and an application for membership, please visit its website, http://HolmdelFirstAidSquad.Org. Events scheduled for 2009 include a Community Education Evening and the Bi-Annual Garage Sale.