| The
Avon-by-the-Sea First Aid & Safety Squad
is a private, non-profit organization that
provides emergency medical and rescue services
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It has provided
these services since 1931. Historically,
members have responded to the Hindenburg
crash, the Morro Castle fire, and the collapse
of the World Trade Center. |
 |
| In
2007, we responded to more than 350 calls
for emergency assistance. The Avon-by-the-Sea
First Aid & Safety Squad has been voted,
in a survey conducted by the Asbury Park
Press, “The Best of Monmouth County’s
Ambulance Squads” for 8 years in a
row. |
|
| We
do not charge for any service we provide.
The Squad relies upon your generous contributions
to help pay for all of our operating expenses. |
|
| Our
Squad must raise the money needed to pay
for first aid supplies and equipment, building
utilities and maintenance, as well as emergency
vehicle purchases, fuel and maintenance.
Our major fund raisers are the annual “Avon
5K Run/Walk” in the spring and the
Fund Drive mailing in the summer. Also,
the Norwood Inn and the Columns Restaurant
generously host fund raising events for
the Squad every year. For information and
an application for the next Annual Avon
5K Run/Walk click
here. |
|
| The
Squad is staffed by volunteer EMTs (Emergency
Medical Technicians) who are trained to
respond to calls for emergency medical services
within the Borough of Avon, and in neighboring
communities, when needed. |
|
| Volunteers
are always needed and welcomed. All EMT
training is provided at no cost to the volunteers.
Our members volunteer whatever time they
can to provide emergency services and to
assist with fund raising activities. Volunteers
must be at least 16 years of age to begin
training as an EMT. |
|
| Our
volunteers receive ongoing training in such
areas as basic life support for injuries
and illnesses, CPR, hazardous material and
terrorist incidents, safe operation of emergency
vehicles, and motor vehicle crash victim
extrication techniques. |
|
| We
operate 3 emergency vehicles (2 ambulances
and 1 rescue truck). Each ambulance has
the equipment and supplies needed to provide
basic life support and first aid for injuries
and illnesses. We have state of the art
Automatic External Defibrillators in each
ambulance. They can be utilized on both
adult and pediatric victims of cardiac arrest.
Our rescue truck is equipped with a generator
for lighting used on the scene of a nighttime
emergency, such as a motor vehicle crash
or a water rescue. It also has a compressor
to operate special tools, such as the “Jaws
of Life” needed to get accident victims
out of a motor vehicle damaged by a crash.
In 2007, we purchased a “Rescue Alive”
ice rescue floating platform. This equipment
is stored in our rescue truck and enables
a rescuer to move across thin ice or open
water to reach a victim quickly and safely.
You may have seen our volunteers training
with this equipment on Sylvan Lake during
the winter months. |
|
| The
Squad is a part of the “ANSWER”
Team. This network of emergency responders
from Avon, Neptune, Neptune City, and Bradley
Beach includes volunteer EMTs, rescue swimmers,
scuba divers, and scene support personnel.
Our volunteers work with local police officers
and members of the Coast Guard in responding
to calls for assistance with water rescue
efforts along the ocean beachfront and Shark
River. |
|
| Some
of our volunteers have trained with members
of the Coast Guard Station in Avon to respond
to emergencies at sea. Coast Guard vessels
have transported our volunteers to provide
emergency medical services onboard private
and commercial boats off the Jersey Shore. |
|
| Our
Squad also responds to calls for assistance
with Avon’s Fire Department. EMTs
will stand by at the scene of a fire alarm
in case our emergency services are needed
by residents or firefighters themselves.
Some of our EMTs are also volunteer firefighters. |
|
| You
can request our assistance during an emergency
by calling 911 or by calling the Avon-by-the-Sea
Police Department at 732-502-4500. |
|
| Your
cooperation is appreciated in taking the
following steps to prepare for an emergency
before it occurs: |
|
| 1. |
Display
house numbers in a well lit &
visible location, |
| 2. |
Keep
a list of current medications &
physicians names handy, |
| 3. |
Write
down phone numbers, “in case
of emergency” & post them
by the phone. |
| |
These
preparations will facilitate our response
and care for you during an emergency. |
|
|
| If
you would like to visit the Squad building,
or find out more about the Squad, you can
call 732-502-4519. |
|
| We
thank you for your continued support. |
