Submitted by: Susan Baldani, a life member of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad.
April 19, 2017 Scotch Plains, NJ – The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad is pleased to announce that advanced medical care for our community and surrounding towns is now closer than ever. Since December 2016, paramedics from JFK Medical Center have being stationed at our building on Bartle Avenue.
The rescue squad provides BLS care (Basic Life Support) by Emergency Medical Technicians. This includes everything from the stabilization of broken bones, CPR and defibrillation, child birth assistance, and the Heimlich maneuver to bandaging cuts and managing bleeding, to name just a few. Medic units provide ALS care (Advanced Life Support) by paramedics. These include cardiac defibrillation as well, but paramedics also provide intravenous fluids and medicines, are able to monitor heart rhythms and intubate patients, and are in communication with an Emergency Room doctor who can guide the care that the patient receives. Because our area has been getting a large number of ALS calls, having one of these units right in our town provides quicker access to advanced life saving measures that paramedics can provide. Since medic units do not transport patients, EMTs and paramedics ride and work together in the back of our ambulances to get patients to the hospital.
It’s nice to know that comprehensive emergency medical care is close by and available for all major medical emergencies. Our community is fortunate to have these highly trained individuals who are ready to respond.
The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad is a volunteer organization of Neighbors Helping Neighbors. With over 90 volunteers, we answer calls not only in Scotch Plains but in surrounding towns as well when needed. Besides answering calls, you will see our ambulances at many special events held in town, such as Scotch Plains Day, the Memorial Day Parade, high school football games, and the summer concerts on the Village Green. We are also available to provide demonstrations for Boys and Girls Scout troops, clubs, and any other group that may be interested in what we do. In addition, we lend out wheelchairs, crutches, canes and other assorted medical equipment free of charge. Please reach out to us if there is something we can do for you. (908) 322-2103 for non-emergencies or scotchplainsrescuesquad@gmail.com.
