Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are
all of your members volunteers?
Yes,
all members of the Vailsburg Rescue Squad are volunteers.
Q: What is the level of training of your squad members?
All
Crew Chiefs and most of our members providing direct patient care are certified
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). At present, the curriculum for the EMT
program is approximately 225 hours. EMTs are also required to re-certify every
three years. All members are Certified First Responders with additional
certification in Healthcare Provider CPR & AED (Automatic External
Defibrillator).
Q: My
neighbor needed an ambulance. Why did two ambulances arrive to the house?
What you probably saw was a BLS
ambulance and Paramedic Unit. In New Jersey, paramedics, who are
hospital-based, sometimes use large SUVs or ambulances. Sometimes referred to
as MICU (Mobile Intensive Care Units), these vehicles and the paramedics who
operate them are an extension of the hospital’s emergency room.
Q: I saw an ambulance crew
transport a patient why didn't I see the paramedics?
This
was probably because the Paramedics were not needed. Each patient’s need is
different. It’s very likely the patient’s need did not require that type of
medical attention. It is also possible that the ambulance crew could have been
on their way to rendezvous with paramedics, on their way to the hospital.
Q: Who makes the determination for the
need of paramedics?
There
are very specific protocols that spell out the need for paramedics. When
someone calls 911, the dispatcher can quickly determine the need for
paramedics, based upon the nature of the injury/illness/event. Additionally,
the ambulance crew can also request paramedics, should the crew determine there
is a need or the episode worsens.
Q: Besides answering emergency calls, what
other activities do you do?
There
are lots of activities in addition to answering emergency calls. The members of
the Vailsburg Rescue Squad are members of your community. We offer free CPR and First Aid classes to the residents of Vailsburg. Look for us providing stand-by
medical services at local sporting events, parades, races, National Night Out,
and more! We also provide escort
services for motorcycle runs.
Q: How can I join the Rescue Squad? What
is the time requirement?
We
are always looking for members to join our ranks. Our senior membership (aged
18 and over) is expected to obtain EMT certification within the first year of
joining, and the time commitment is approximately 15 hours a week. Our cadet
program for high school students has a time commitment of approximately 6 hours
a week, with a 6-7 week training period prior to membership. In addition to the
duty requirement, for all members, there are meetings to attend, training
drills, and care and maintenance of our building and vehicles.
Q: I don’t want to provide medical care
but I want to help. What can I do?
We
are looking for people with certain skills to assist, such as mechanics, accountants,
attorneys, and more. If you think you might have skills that can help us, give
us a call!
The Safety First Vailsburg Rescue Squad has been endorsed by New Jersey Senator Ronald Rice, Newark Councilman Joseph McCallum and the Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association.