Holmdel First Aid Squad responded to 629 tone-outs in the first half of 2009, which averages out to between three or four 911 calls per day. June saw 102 tone-outs that resulted in over 80 patients with medical conditions or injuries from MVAs being transported to area hospitals. The Squad had twice as many daytime calls than nighttime calls during the work week, but the calls were equally distributed throughout the weekends.

The Squad also changed its By-Laws in June so its line officer command falls into alignment with the current terminology used in NIMS/ICS structure. The HFAS Captain Levent Sasmazel is now the HFAS Chief, Lynn Davis is now HFAS Captain, Evelyn Puig and Bob Bliss are now First and Second Lieutenants, respectively. The rank of Third Lieutenant has been “retired”.

Fund Raising—The Bi-Annual Garage Sale

HFAS hosted a Garage Sale on where residents donated items to be sold with all the proceeds going to the Squad. Under the guidance of HFAS President Mike Nikolis the Squad started to collect and accept items from early spring through the week before the June 14th sale date. The donated items ultimately took over the Crawfords Corner Rd building as they were stacked wall-to-wall above head-height in all four bays and meeting rooms. In the days just before sale, squad members and volunteers moved the smaller items onto tables outside, set up furniture and exercise equipment, displayed housewares, hung stained glass light fixtures and built a huge wall display of TVs and electronics. An overflow of shoppers spent the day hunting through all the items finding that “got to have item” despite the constant threat of rain. The Squad also facilitated the shopping experience by accepting credit and debit cards. At the end of Sunday, most of the donated items had found new homes; those that did not, were accepted by local charities like Project Paul and Habitat for Humanity in the spirit in which they were originally given. Some of the smaller items that would not tolerate the rainy weather of that weekend will be listed on EBay with all those proceeds going to the HFAS.

HFAS Treasurer Maureen Dronne reported that the Garage Sale grossed over $13,000 as of June 30th . This resulted in a net of approximately $11,000 after expenses such as of tent and table rental, advertising and supplies. The Squad is going to use these funds to help pay for its new ambulance.

HFAS President Nikolis was very happy with the Garage Sale saying that, “It not only promoted the Squad within the Township but allowed residents to meet and talk with members without being in the midst of a medical emergency. The sale also showed how well all members, from the high school Explorers to life members, worked together to make the event a success.”

Presidential Visit

HFAS has all four of its ambulances in service the day of the Presidential visit. Three of the rigs were assigned to direct support of the event and the fourth was dedicated to runs within the Township.

1863 was assigned to the Hazmat Support Group at the PNC with EMTs Mike Nikolis and Erin McKane. EMTs Paul Fellingham, Manny Martinez, Anthony Puscillo and Rahul Vasireddy were part of the BLS Strike Teams in 1861 and 1862 working out of the OEM post at Crawfords Corner. Chief Sasmazel and Captain Davis spent the day at the OEM post. While it was a long day, stretching for some from 8AM until 6PM, all members felt it was an unique experience.

HFAS Continues Its Extrication Training

The Squad has continued honing its skills in the area of vehicle extrication. One unexpected phone call that President Nikolis took for the garage sale was the donation of a used stretch limo vehicle. The Squad uses such donations as training vehicles, which are “sacrificed” as members learn how to dismember it. It is important to use actual vehicles when doing training for extricating a patient entangled within a car or a van. Later this month, the Squad along with Hazlet First Aid’s Rescue team will practice on a school bus before an audience of school bus drivers so the drivers can better understand what will need to be done in case of an accident with patient entrapment.

HFAS will be happy to pick up a donated motor vehicle (car, truck, van or limo) to be used in these drills, and the donated vehicles are tax deductible. Rescuers will get hands-on training by using the Jaws of Life and other equipment to take apart and/or manipulate the vehicle to safely extricate a would-be victim. Anyone interested in making a donation can call the Squad at 732-946-3239 and leave a message for Captain Lynn Davis or visit the website (HolmdelFirstAidSquad.Org). Any alternative fuel vehicle would be greatly appreciated.

Holmdel FAS Fourth Annual Health Education Night on Tuesday October 20th

The Squad is looking forward to hosting its annual evening of guest speakers. This year the discussion will be on the treatment and preventions of injuries that occur in sports, accidents and during exercise. Special emphasis will be on concussions, brain injuries and back injuries. Among the scheduled speakers are Dr Stephen Rice and Molly Berkowitz, RN, from Jersey Shore Trauma Center and Dr Catherine Kowalski, D.C., a chiropractor. Life member Shufen Hwang is helping coordinate the evening.

Joining HFAS

Holmdel First Aid Squad is always ready to welcome new members as either EMTs or drivers. We need Holmdel residents over the age of 18, and the Squad will arrange for training. Members are required to serve eleven assigned duty hours each week, usually in one overnight block period of 7PM to 6AM. There are also places for daytime members, who usually serve their eleven duty hours in smaller blocks of time. If you are interested in helping your fellow neighbors, please leave a message for the membership committee at 732-946-3239 or fill out the on-line application at HolmdelFirstAidSquad.Org to start the process.