At last Tuesday's Common Council meeting, Mayor Walter Long issued a proclamation designating September as "Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad Month". As has been the tradition for several years, the proclamation was issued to coincide with the First Aid Squad's annual fund drive, which was mailed to each Summit residence and business last week.

"This annual mail campaign is our primary source of income", commented Matt Sinclair, Chair of the Squad's Fund Drive Committee. "We do not solicit in person or by telephone. Nor do we use any outside fundraising firms. So donors can be assured that their entire gifts will actually benefit the squad.", said Mr. Sinclair.

The Proclamation was presented to First Aid Squad President John Staunton. Mr. Staunton was elected earlier this month to replace Alice Nichols, who passed away very unexpectedly on August 25. He has dedicated the fund drive to her memory. Also on hand to witness the Proclamation was Squad Captain Kari Phair and the members of the Tuesday night crew.

Following the Proclamation, Mr. Staunton made a brief presentation about the First Squad and it's efforts to recruit new volunteers. First Aid Squad operating expenses are over $ 125,000 per year and the organization maintains 3 ambulances valued at over $ 100,000 each. "But despite these costs, our volunteers remains our most valuable asset" said Mr. Staunton. The Squad is staffed and managed entirely by volunteers and currently has 61 active members. "Our goal is to add 10 new members before year end", said Beverly Brown, the Squad's Membership Chair.

The presentation cited several Squad accomplishments over the years: starting the state's first EMS Bike Team, being among the first in the area to use cardiac defibrillators, successful community safety campaigns such as "WHALE" and the "Vial of Life", and this year, selection from among 527 eligible organizations as the "New Jersey Volunteer EMS Agency of the Year".

The First Aid Squad is currently seeking new volunteers for a variety of duties. [Click here] for more information.