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The
Lambertville Ambulance Association was one of the oldest
volunteer ambulance squads in New Jersey.
It organized in 1914 under the auspices of the
Lambertville Fire Patrol, when the Patrol invited area
doctors to a demonstration of the Pulmotor - an early
artificial respiration device.
The Doctors and local industries were given the
names of the Patrolmen to contact in case the Pulmotor was
needed. The
Patrol, concerned for the care of fire victims and
firefighters, placed a first aid box and oxygen cylinders
on a fire truck in 1918.
The
founding members of the Lambertville Rescue Squad placed
emphasis on training and equipment in order to handle any
emergency the community might encounter.
During the Delaware River flood of 1955 squad
members worked for 72 continuous hours in order to save
lives and property. The
Squad participated in many State and international
competitions. Its
record for winning World Heavy Rescue Championships is
unequalled. Numerous
awards have also been won in the team categories of male,
female, mixed and youth first aid.
Continuing
the finest traditions of the two parent organizations, the
Lambertville Ambulance & Rescue Squad changed its name
to the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance & Rescue Squad.
This was done in 1985, to reflect a more accurate
description of the Squad's service area, and to encourage
participation by citizens on both sides of the Delaware
River. During recent floods of the Delaware, the Squad was
again pressed into service to rescue of residence caught
in rapidly rising flood waters.
Today,
the Squad's equipment includes state-of-the-art "Jaws
of Life", automatic external defibrillators, advanced
rescue and emergency care devices.
Emergency vehicles include three ambulances, a
crash-rescue vehicle, a technical rescue truck, a service
van, two standard rescue boats, two inflatable boats and
an airboat rescue craft.
The
Squad headquarters completed in 1974, located on one of
Lambertville's hills, overlook the Delaware River and
surrounding countryside.
Banquet facilities with a capacity for 230 guests
are provided on the second floor of the headquarters. The
Ladies Auxiliary, formed in 1950, has provided strong
support to the membership throughout the years. The
Auxiliary has operated the banquet hall since its opening
in 1974.
Current
Squad members complete training as Emergency Medical
Technicians or ambulance attendants, and are required to
be certified annually in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
In addition, members are trained in the latest
techniques for emergency heart defibrillation, using
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED).
A full-time, paid daytime-crew, along with
dedicated volunteers covering overnight shifts, answer
more than 1200 emergency calls each year.
Services
are provided 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The
Squad does not charge for any services.
The Squad receives its operating funds through
contributions from the public and through the Squad's own
fund-raising efforts. Additional support comes from the
municipalities served by the Squad. The annual operating
budget is $390,000.
The
Squad benefits from outstanding community support from
civic groups, local government and the community at large.
The Squad maintains a youth program and conducts first aid
and CPR classes for various local organizations.
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