By Laura French
RARITAN BOROUGH, N.J. — A fundraiser has been started for a New Jersey EMT and his family after their home was destroyed in a fire Sunday night.
A GoFundMe page for Somerville Rescue Squad EMT Ernie Hall has raised nearly $5,000 in one day. The fundraiser was started by ER Technician Sara Aleksandrovna, who worked as Hall’s partner on the squad for two years.
“This former Lieutenant of the rescue squad has given so much to his community as an EMT, & his country as a Coast Guard Service Member,” Somerville Rescue Squad said in a Facebook post on Monday. “Last night, his fellow first responders returned the service in the best way they could.”
https://www.facebook.com/SomervilleRescueSquad/posts/2783224418365215?__tn__=-R
At least nine agencies responded to the blaze, and volunteers from the American Red Cross arrived to help the family in the aftermath, according to the rescue squad. Hall’s dog also went missing after the fire.
More than 85 people have donated to the fundraiser to help the family recover, and a link to the page has been shared more than 400 times. Multiple friends and community members left messages of support along with their donations.
“Ernie deserves our help. I know he would do the same if it was one of us,” one donor said.