By Sharon Adarlo
Newark Star-Ledger (New Jersey)
Copyright 2007 Newark Morning Ledger Co.
All Rights Reserved
NEWARK, N.J. — The St. John’s First Aid Squad of Fords has a long history in Woodbridge dating back to 1943, when the local St. John’s Episcopal Church decided to form an emergency squad on Corrielle Street.
Over the years, the squad has seen changes in technology used to save lives. But recent years have also seen tighter budgets and changes in the membership rolls, with volunteers unable to work as many daytime hours.
In response, St. John’s announced it has formed a cooperative agreement with Linden Emergency Medical Services to provide ambulance coverage to the Fords and Keasbey sections of Woodbridge on weekdays, according to squad members.
Linden EMS will be on call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and it will also be operating out of the St. John headquarters on Corrielle Street, said Capt. Chuck Collins of St. John’s.
St. John’s will still operate during night and weekend hours, Collins said. In addition to the boosted coverage, Linden EMS plans to provide management consultation to St. John’s as members explore their options on the squad’s future, Collins said.
“Over the last several years, it’s become very difficult to get volunteers during daytime hours,” Collins said. “Availability is very limited. People’s lives have changed a lot.”
Linden EMS members are available during those hours because their members are mostly in paid positions, with a few volunteers, Collins said.
St. John’s is contemplating a move to have paid positions and even start charging for its services in order to maintain its operations, Collins said. Linden EMS may help in that transition, he said.
The squad currently has 10 active members. The annual operating budget is around $90,000, with $35,000 from the township and the rest from donations, according to Collins.
“Most of the budget goes to operating expenses,” he said. “There is a building that needs to be maintained. There is little money for maintenance.”
Collins moved in his old furniture to spruce up the squad’s headquarters, his nominal second home.
“I give 110 percent to the organization,” Collins said. “It’s a big part of my life.”
The veteran of 23 years spends so much time at the squad that his wife, Gina Collins, volunteered to become secretary so she could be with her husband.
“I had to be involved,” Gina Collins said. “We spend a good portion over there.”
Collins first joined because his father was a member and a friend became a volunteer.
“It seemed like a good thing to do,” he said.
Though the squad has had to grapple with many changes in its history, the door is always open for volunteers to help and serve their fellow neighbors.
“Whatever time people can give, we appreciate,” Collins said.