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Community Corner

Rescue Squad Launches First Recruiting Drive in Quarter Century

The Westfield Rescue Squad held a recruiting drive on Saturday at Robert Treat Deli.

The Westfield Rescue Squad kicked off their first recruiting drive in a generation Saturday with an event at Robert Treat Deli.

The squad, an all volunteer group which provides emergency medical services for the town, is looking to boost the number of volunteers for the group. In particular they are on the look out for more Westfield residents to join.

Rescue Squad EMT Drew Fleyzor said, "A large majority of the current members are from out of town, and we're trying to recruit members from within the community."

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According to Reid Edles, treasurer of the Westfield Rescue Squad and the recruiting chairman, this was the Rescue Squad's first recruiting drive in about 25 years. This year's was going slowly, but Eldes said, "Whatever we can get is a plus. Any time we can get a member it's helpful."

Prospective EMTs must go through a substantial training session, which is offered at the squad's building on Watterson Street. Training includes a CPR certification course and a 120 hour EMT class, followed by a state administered exam.

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The EMT class is offered three times a year in Westfield: in the spring, summer and fall. Classes run two nights a week and on the weekend.

Riding EMTs must be 17 years old and have a New Jersey state drivers' license, and they are allowed to drive an ambulance at 18. Dispatchers must be 16 years of age and have completed their sophomore year in high school.

Members also receive local discounts and benefits by being part of the squad. Members get a 50-percent off discount at the Westfield YMCA and the Westfield Memorial Pool and have access to a state authorized, town sponsored pension plan. The Rescue Squad also offers childcare reimbursement for its members.

Fleyzor, who is an out-of-town member himself, said that what drew him to the Westfield Rescue Squad was "the professionalism, the amenities, the building, the members—it is a residential squad, so you have to be there for your shifts and you bond with the other crew members."

Other squads are not residential, meaning members are called in as needed from their homes or their jobs.

For the members between calls, Fleyzor said, the Rescue Squad building is equipped with a large television, DVD player, pool table and a fully remodeled kitchen.

Edles also cited Westfield's flexible shifts as being an attraction for many members who live out of town. The Westfield Rescue Squad only requires a minimum of four hours of duty time per week, which can be served on weekdays or weekends, day or night.

According to Edles, before 1951 the Westfield Fire Department operated the ambulance service in town. One night, there was a large fire in town, requiring all the firemen available at the time, leaving no one remaining to fulfill rescue squad duties. When a call for an ambulance came, the Garwood Volunteer Rescue Squad assisted. It was decided that year by the mayor that Westfield needed a volunteer rescue squad of their own.

The Westfield Rescue Squad, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has been independent and volunteer ever since. This also allows the Rescue Squad to provide free service to the patients, while many other towns bill their patients after an emergency call.

Edies noted that he wanted to thank Robert Treat for helping with the recruiting drive, by donating space and food for the squad on Saturday.

Susan Lagano, a Westfield EMT, said: "We always want to remain volunteer. We want to provide this service to our residents."

"We're in the business of saving lives," Edles said, "and we do it for free."

Also, since the Rescue Squad is not a municipal agency, they do not receive any aid from the town or from property taxes. All funds are raised through grants and donations. Every year the Rescue Squad sends out a fund-drive letter in March to the residents of Westfield.

Liana Erickson, a Westfield resident, stopped in to Robert Treat Deli to inquire about becoming a member. She said she has a background in pharmaceuticals and she wants to get back into the health care field. She also said that commitment is great, as she has a family with young kids to take care of.

"To have a rescue squad," said Edles, "you need money and members. Without one, you can't run a rescue squad successfully. So today it's the members."

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