First Aid Squad Launches 50th Anniversary Celebration

July 29, 2012 marks 50 years of service for the . For the past few months, in addition to their regular EMS duties, members of the all-volunteer squad have also been preparing to commemorate the golden anniversary.

At the Memorial Day parade, squad members showed off their newest ambulance.  The squad recently added a 4th ambulance to its fleet.  While all 4 have been used simultaneously several times, this was the first time all 4 plus its first response unit appeared at the same event. 

In June, members were invited to the Summit Family Aquatic Center for a joint celebration of 40 years for the pool and 50 years for the First Aid Squad.   

At the July 4 Firework display, several squad members were invited on stage to push the plunger to start the show.  A week earlier, members were invited to the Summit Family Aquatic Center for a joint celebration of 40 years for the pool and 50 years for the first aid squad.

Today, the squad launched an updated web site designed with the 50th anniversary in mind.  This week a banner across Springfield Ave announces the Squads July 28 anniversary event.

The main event will be a Block Party celebration on at Summit Ave & Elm St.  All are invited.  The party takes place in and around the Squad’s headquarters, in the street and the Middle School parking lot across the street.  The Summit Ave Extension from Morris Ave to Oakland Place will be closed during the event.

Activities include displays of current and antique emergency vehicles and equipment from various agencies, a variety of specialty response units such as a mass casualty bus, off road rescue vehicle, a team from NorthStar, the NJ med-evac helicopter program and Summit’s Chemical Engine, just to name a few. There will be demonstrations of a variety of first aid and rescue techniques, fun activities for the kids, music, and food from several local restaurants.

There will also be a flyover of 2 med-evac helicopters in the afternoon.

This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors who volunteer for the First Aid Squad, learn how the EMS system works and how to get some useful training for you and your family, tour the Squad’s building and response apparatus, and see what many of the other emergency resources that Summit can call upon when needed.

The winner of the First Aid Squad Art Contest will also be announced during the Block Party.  Entries are still being accepted until July 26.

The all volunteer First Aid Squad is always looking for new members to join its ranks. All needed training, uniforms and equipment is provided. For information, please call 908-277-9479, or visit their web site at: www.summitems.org. 

—John Staunton

John Staunton, an active volunteer EMT and Instructor with the Summit First Aid Squad, chairs the Publicity and Fund Drive committees.  The First Aid Squad is celebrating 50 years of service in 2012.