New Egypt First Aid Squad new ambulance starts service to community

The New Egypt First Aid and Emergency Squad, Inc. (NEFAS) placed a new ambulance in service on February 1.

The ambulance was built by P&L Custom Body and uses a 2000 Ford E-450 chassis. The squad has been very busy the last several years, so it was not surprising the ambulance crew transported a patient to the hospital before the ambulance was parked in the squad building for the first time. The new ambulance cost $112,000. The squad received a $15,000 trade-in credit on the old ambulance, which brought the final cash total to $97,000. As a result of effective financial management, the NEFAS has been able to purchase new ambulances in 1994, 1997 and 2000 with no additional cost to the municipalities served.

Each ambulance is replaced after 10 years of service due to the maintenance cost, high mileage, expiration of all warranties, and lack of latest safety features.

The NEFAS also owns a rescue truck, which was purchased in 1992. It is not scheduled for replacement until at least the year 2012 because of the high replacement cost, low mileage, and no patient transport capabilities. The rescue truck is primarily used for vehicle extrications.

The squad engineer checks all vehicles on a weekly basis. The engineer's checks include, as a minimum, lights, tires, fluid levels, belts, hoses, etc. The squad's vehicles are also inspected annually to ensure compliance with State of New Jersey motor vehicle requirements.

The NEFAS provides regionalized volunteer basic life support service to a primary coverage area that includes all of New Hanover and Plumsted Townships and portions of North Hanover and Upper Freehold Townships. The NEFAS is an independent volunteer organization and is not affiliated with any fire company or fire district.

New Egypt kindergarten students from Mrs. Howard's class got the chance to tour the new NEFAS vehicle when squad members Jodi Byrne, Elaine Johnson and Joann Barnes visited the New Egypt Elementary School on Friday. The students were first visited in their class room where the squad members showed them some basic first aid equipment such as the instrument which measures blood pressure.

The excited students then got to see and try on a splint when they went outside and toured the new ambulance. Johnson even blew the vehicle's siren for the students who held their ears during that portion of the demonstration.

New Egypt First Aid Squad member Jodi Byrne shows NEES students a splint.

New Egypt First Aid Squad members Jodi Byrne (left) and Elaine Johnson demonstrate a blood pressure device to the students of Mrs. Howard's kindergarten class at the New Egypt Elementary School on Friday afternoon. The students then toured the squad's new ambulance which was parked outside.

Special to The New Egypt Press The New Egypt First Aid Squad's new vehicle is seen parked in front of the New Egypt First Aid Squad Headquarters. The new emergency vehicle was put into service this week.