TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The Volunteer Ambulance Corps is seemingly everywhere, spreading the word about first aid skills and recruiting at celebrations and other gatherings.
Meanwhile, the WTVAC just celebrated the first anniversary of rocking its 2018 Horton Ford F-550 ambulance.
The rig, ceremonially wet down when it arrived last summer, features an automatic powerlift for the stretcher, electronic right-at-your-fingertips touchpad controls, additional storage, a more comfortable ride, and a Christmas tree’s bounty of other technologies and features.
According to WTVAC Lt. Justin G. Tsai, “Corpsmen really enjoy taking advantage of the new features available to improve the services we provide to our community.”
He said the township welcomed the rig to the fleet at a June 24, 2018 wetdown cheered on by the Township of Washington Fire Department, the Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service, and the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
If you missed it, the celebration included barbecue and cake, with catering by Nicholas Markets Foodtown.
Since then, the corps refurbished another ambulance and was placing into service a first responder SUV.
The corp’s first ambulance, a donation of the town’s Republican Club, was a used 1939 LaSalle purchased from a town in upstate New York.
EMTs get around
On June 14 the volunteers were at the Jesse F. George Elementary School year-end celebration. On Saturday, June 22 neighboring Emerson invited many local area ambulance corps to pitch in at their Fourth of July fireworks display, and WTVAC was there.
Members provided a standby crew and ambulance at both events.
According to Tsai, first aid was rendered to several youngsters at the George School event over minor scrapes, cuts, and bruises.
Standing by for the George School celebration were Capt. Robert S. Rayve, Tsai, EMTs Richard Miras and Trevor Landau, and EMR Joseph Conway.
Standing by for the fireworks display were: Rayve, Miras, Landau, and Naomi Theisz and driver Nick Theisz.
Tsai said that Landau, newly graduated from initial EMT training at the top of his class, obtained his certification days before volunteering for both events.
According to Tsai, the WTVAC is eager to participate in opportunities to reach out to the public, especially the young.
“As always, the corps also needs additional members. Anyone interested in volunteering their time can find our application at wtvac.org or call (201) 664-3784,” he said.
The corps also has loan-out medical supplies freely available to Pascack Valley residents. Call Naomi at (201) 474-5626.