(Editor's Note: The Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad has served the community as a free, volunteer service for 83 years. After returning from hiatus due to the pandemic, the squad has taken on a secondary status as the town pays Atlantic Healthcare for ambulance services. In addition to the taxpayer expense, this has contributed to training and recruiting issues for the squad. Some citizens, along with members of the squad, would prefer if the town chose to the return the squad to primary status in place of the contract with Atlantic Healthcare. The comments below provide more information.)
What is the Cedar Grove ambulance squad and how did it start?
Kenneth: Prior to 1983, we were two separate organizations, the CG Rescue Squad and the CG Ambulance Unit. The Rescue Squad was started in 1938 by members of the CG Fire Department because of the long wait for an ambulance from Mountainside Hospital. Originally, a fire engine was used but in February of 1939, a rescue truck was purchased. The truck was housed at Fire Co. #1 at the Municipal Building. In the early 1950’s (I think 1951 but I am not sure) the CG Police started the Ambulance Unit. The Rescue Squad performed first aid and the Ambulance Unit transported the patient to the hospital. In the late 1970’s both organizations realized what they were doing was inefficient. Also, call volume was increasing and membership was lagging. In 1983 both units merged to become the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad. The Ambulance building on Ridge Road was sold and all vehicles and equipment was housed at our Pompton Avenue building.
It must have been incredibly challenging trying to meet the demand and stay safe during a historic pandemic. What was that experience like? What can you share?
Kenneth: The Covid-19 Pandemic was challenging. At a CGA&RS function in March of 2020, two of the members exposed, unknowingly, the entire membership to Covid-19. We were forced to quarantine and unable to perform first aid and ambulance transportations for our community.
Given how strained resources are for local ambulance squads in regular times, it's not surprising that the squad had to take a hiatus during the pandemic. It must have been hard to make that decision. What was the breaking point and how was the decision made?
Kenneth: The president at the time made the decision to shut down temporarily (Ed.: Mr. Clark became President in 2021). As soon as we were able, we requested to resume serving the community, even in a limited basis. We met opposition from the CG Police. We met with the Town Manager, the Police Chief and the Fire Chief and after seven months of meetings, we were allowed to open on January 11, 2021. However, this was on a limited basis. We would be a backup to the Atlantic Ambulance, Monday to Friday from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. What this means is when Atlantic was unavailable the CG Police would page us out.
Now that the squad is back, what are you looking forward to for the organization? What goals are you trying to achieve?
Kenneth: During our hiatus, we made a massive push for new members, eventually having 36 residents and non-residents joining the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad. We need them as we had many older members and some had underlying medical conditions.
We are now looking to return to being the primary responder, Monday to Friday from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. We need this so that our new members can gain valuable experience. Once our new members can gain this experience, we can expand operations to weekends and eventually days. Right now, we are not going on enough calls, about 25 this year. Some of our members have not been on any calls this year. This is not the way to gain experience.
Working with the ambulance squad is tough work. Who's a good candidate for a volunteer? What do you look for? Are there both physical and mental traits that help?
Kenneth: We need volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their time to help the community. Volunteers would have to be willing to spend their crew time at our headquarters. Crew shifts are usually 12 hours but we have split shifts so more members can ride. Members should be mentally able to handle most first aid situations and not panic. Physically they need to be able to lift patients and carry equipment, some of which is heavy.
How can the community help to support the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad? What are your needs and what can the public do?
Kenneth: We need the community to attend the September 27, 2021 Town Meeting and express their support for the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad to return to primary status. Our material needs are few as we have ample first aid supplies and personal protective equipment. We need support.
Remember, we are a free service and have been for over 83 years. Atlantic Healthcare bills for their services. Why should our community have to pay for emergency medical care when there is a free service available, the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad? Residents should contact the Mayor and Council Members requesting the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad return to primary service.
Residents interested in learning more about service or about other ways they can support the squad can visit the website here:
