Beach Haven First Aid Squad responds to more than 60 calls in January

The Beach Haven First Aid Squad, which responds to emergencies throughout 10 of Long Beach Island’s 18 miles, from Ship Bottom to Holgate, has been unusually busy this winter season. Since Jan. 1, members have responded to more than 60 calls.

Photo via BHFAS
The first aid squad is the
oldest in the area.

A few weeks ago, a patient was flown to the trauma center in Atlantic City after he “cracked his head wide open” falling down 13 stairs, said Jack Casella, captain of the Beach Haven First Aid Squad.

Members had their first CPR save of the year on Sunday in Ship Bottom.

“He was dead-dead, and after 45 minutes we got his heart started and got him breathing,” said Casella, who has been volunteering for over 35 years.

The all-volunteer organization, which includes divisions in Beach Haven and Ship Bottom, has about 30 members, with 15 active, full-time riding members in the winter months. Some volunteer on the weekends year ’round.

Calls usually reach around 1,100 to 1,200 annually. Members, who also have other jobs, sometimes have to answer 12 to 17 calls a day.

“Nonsense” calls, such as those regarding a broken finger or toe, are the most frustrating for members, said Casella, who also started Surf City EMS with the fire company in 1989.

“That takes an ambulance off the road for a real emergency,” he stated. “People think if they go by ambulance they’re going to be taken care of faster, and it doesn’t always work that way.

“Our calls consist of a lot of different emergencies: cardiac, respiratory, CVA, diabetic, accidents, falls. We have a variety, and we treat everything,” added Casella. “We also had several fly-outs this summer.”

This past year, volunteers responded to a total of 1,113 calls. Six were CPR calls with three saves that walked out of the hospital.

Ten members responded to over 100 calls each.

Man hours for emergencies alone last year clocked in at 3,009.2.

“As a volunteer organization, we put in many other hours: training, drills, meeting both in-town as well as out of town. We spend many, many hours away from our families,” said Casella. “I figure we’re doing something right because we do attract volunteers who are dedicated. We’re very fortunate. We’ve never had to have mutual aid, and we usually have a rig on the road within five minutes. I’m very proud of the people that I work with. We’re all like a family. We’re not like ships passing in the night.”

The organization is the oldest first aid squad in the area, which was established by just a few people in 1939.

“At that time you only needed first aid and CPR,” said Casella. “The closest hospital was in Lakewood, and they used Cadillac ambulances. There was not a lot of room to move in one.

“Things have changed drastically over the years,” he added. “We are now able to do a lot more for our patients. Our rigs are much bigger, and we have all the latest equipment to better serve our community.”

The squad has five ambulances, two beach trucks and one first responder vehicle, all of which are fully equipped.

“Our goal is to answer all calls in a timely matter,” said Casella.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.