Kendall Park First Aid Open to Public This Weekend

Following the Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad will welcome the public to meet the volunteers of the squad in hopes of attracting new members this weekend.

The squad will be hosting an open house event at the building on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 121 New Road in Kendall Park. 

The open house also celebrates, Fire Prevention Week with both emergency service agencies on hand to meet the community, show off their emergency vehicles and answer questions about the tasks the first aid and fire squads perform for the community. The Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad will also have members of the Explorer Program for high school students at the open house.

The event comes as new volunteers are in dire need for all three township EMS squads.

"We used to rely on people who didn't work during the day, but that's evaporating," said Rich Goselin, of the Kendall Park squad last month. "We have guys who are doing 500 calls a year. It's a big commitment. What it comes down to is an understanding that we accept whatever people can provide. This is different than my job and what I do during the day. It's an opportunity to give back and it's more fulfilling." 

Currently, Kendall Park has 45 volunteers, Monmouth Junction has 35, and Kingston has about 12. Kendall Park alone responded to nearly 1,800 calls in the last year, providing emergency medical service to Franklin Park, Griggstown, Little Rocky Hill and areas in Monmouth Junction and Somerset, in addition to Kendall Park itself.

Kendall Park is also beginning a capital campaign to help pay for the estimated $250,000 renovations to the New Road facility. The renovations included a roof replacement due to leaking that regularly flooded the ambulance bay, reconfigured bay doors allowing larger vehicles to fit inside, a small room to allow for cots so volunteers can sleep when serving during overnight hours and emergencies, and modern bathrooms with a shower so volunteers can reduce risk when exposed to blood borne pathogens.

For additional information about the Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad, visit, www.KPFARS.org or call 1-888-842-6060 ext 860. 

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