[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E437-E438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE WANAQUE FIRST AID SQUAD'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Wanaque 
First Aid Squad, located in the Borough of Wanaque, Passaic County, New 
Jersey, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
  Before the existence of the Wanaque First Aid Squad, emergency 
medical services were provided to the borough by the Pompton Lakes 
First Aid Squad, located in the adjacent municipality. With the aim of 
providing better coverage to Wanaque, a group of residents petitioned 
the Mayor and Borough Council to form their own squad in 1970. Then 
Mayor Frank Longo appointed Councilman Samuel Liotti to serve as a 
liaison to the group and monitor its progress, and in October 1971, 
prospective members began training with the Ringwood, New Jersey 
Ambulance Corps. The first officers appointed by the Wanaque First Aid 
Squad were President Dennis Gallagher, Vice President Thomas Jones, 
Secretary Rosemary Jenkins, and Captain Robert Brown.
  The Wanaque First Aid Squad was incorporated on June 21, 1972, due to 
the efforts of founding members Martin Carrigan III, Joseph Cisco, 
Arnold Cohen, Raymond Ernst, and David Sisco. The seventeen new members 
then began probationary training with the Ringwood and Pompton Lakes 
Squads, while they worked to build up their training and the 
capabilities of the new Wanaque First Aid Squad. The members wrote to 
other area squads seeking equipment donations, and were able to meet 
most of their needs. Later in the year, the squad obtained two aged 
Cadillac Ambulances, and in December, found a property on Melrose 
Avenue for their headquarters. While the new building was being 
completed, the squad operated out of a trailer set up behind the 
Borough Hall on Ringwood Avenue.
  The Wanaque First Aid Squad officially began to operate at midnight, 
April 1, 1973. They held a dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate, 
and there they chose the names for the first premier, duty crew from a 
hat. Just before midnight, David Brolema, David Doughty, Joseph 
Carrigan, and Robert Jordon left to start the first shift of the 
Wanaque First Aid Squad. The squad proved their importance quickly, as 
the first use of the rigs was the following day, April 2, and the first 
emergency call came on April 3.
  The official headquarters was completed and dedicated on May 26, 
1974, and within five years, a large hall was added, thanks to the 
donations of the Wanaque Lion's Club. Today, the hall is open for use 
for public fundraisers and private events, and every Thursday night, it 
is used to host the Wanaque First

[[Page E438]]

Aid Auxiliary Bingo Night, which provides the main source of 
fundraising for the squad. The Auxiliary handles most of the 
fundraising efforts for the Wanaque First Aid Squad, as the job is very 
demanding. There are 14 EMTs, who have met the 270 hour certification 
requirements, and six drivers who also must go through basic training. 
They cover the Wanaque area 24 hours a day, five days a week, and 
alternate weekend coverage with Pompton Lakes, to help provide each 
squad with weekend relief. In the year of 2012, the Wanaque First Aid 
Squad answered to 1,008 calls and dedicated 11,378 volunteer hours, for 
an average of 569 hours per member. The squad plans to celebrate their 
40th year with the arrival of a new 2013 Ford E-450 ambulance, which 
will replace their old rig that will be auctioned off.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Wanaque First Aid Squad as they celebrate their 40th anniversary.

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