HISTORY OF
THE EAST GREENWICH AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION, INC.
from
the 1981 East Greenwich Centennial Booklet [by Louise
Gould]
Early
in the 1970's, East Greenwich was having an unusual number
of accidents at its railroad crossings. While the members
of both Fire Companies and the Mt. Royal Rescue Squad were
responding to the calls, they noticed they had to wait a considerable
length of time for an ambulance to arrive from surrounding
townships. At one of these calls, the question was raised
as to whether or not a township ambulance squad should be
created. The question was also raised as to whether it should
be part of one of the fire companies, or a separate unit.
It was decided to form a separate organization to encourage
all residents, especially women, to join. Mt. Royal Fire Co.
invited them to house the ambulance in their firehouse temporarily,
and promised to give their support, whenever possible.
The
first organizational meeting was held at the Mt. Royal Firehouse
on Feb. 24, 1972. Temporary officers elected were: John Price,
chairman; Bob Gould, Jr., secretary and Jay Hammel, representative
to Gloucester County Ambulance Association. Present were:
John Price, Jay Hammel, John Randall, Terry Ballinger, Ralph
Hammond, Carl Jacobson, Carmen Feuerborn, Rev. Jack Hamilton,
Keith Wise and Bob Gould, Jr.
On
March 9, 1972, the first official meeting of the association
was held at Mr. Royal. John Price reported that the Junior
Women's Club, the Lions Club, and the Senior Citizens Club
would aid the association to help them gain both moral and
financial support in the community. Elected were: Bob Gould,
Jr., chairman, Carl Jacobson, treasurer, Helen McClay, vice
president, and Dan McClain, secretary. It was decided to distribute
flyers to the residents asking for contributions to buy an
ambulance.
May
16, 1972 it was reported that $2,046.85 had been contributed
in response to their flyer. It was reported that the Township
Committee questioned whether or not an ambulance service was
needed. It was later reported that the Township Committee
had agreed to appropriate $20,000 to the 1973 budget to purchase
an ambulance. Proceedings were begun to incorporate the organization,
and Amos Peaslee, Jr. volunteered to handle the legal aspects
of the corporation. It was also decided to join the Gloucester
County Ambulance Association. The following officers were
added: Capt.--Bob Gould, Jr.; Training Officer--Jay Hammel;
Engineer--Bruce Thompson, Sr.
August
31, 1972 a special meeting was called and Amos Peaslee officially
incorporated the Ambulance Association. A modular type ambulance
had been ordered in July, and since the expected Federal Grant
had been delayed, letters were sent out to residents asking
for their financial help.
A
motion was made and duly carried, that Amos
Peaslee and Lou Oberg be made full members of the Association,
as an expression of gratitude for their help in the incorporation
and gaining township approval. The mayor was notified that
the Federal Grant was approved in the amount of $7,510.50
effective as of Sept. 9, 1972.
The
Chief of Police assigned a number to the ambulance vehicle
for radio transmission purposes, and it was agreed that one
blast of the siren would indicate the ambulance was needed.
November
13, 1971, at the Township Meeting, Mayor Carl Nolte declared
the East Greenwich Ambulance Association, Inc., "in service."
Approximately 20 minutes later, the ambulance responded to
its first call. It was a call to aid a Mr. Frank Shoemaker,
age 23, of Repaupo Station Rd. who had a car accident. The
patient was treated at the scene and then transported to Underwood
Memorial Hospital, Woodbury.
East Greenwich Ambulance Assn. was the first quad to have
a modular ambulance; the first to go from the familiar red
to the Omaha Orange; the first squad to work off a 24 hour
schedule. Most of these members have given months of their
time to attend courses at the Community College, and received
Advanced Aid and E.M.T. (Emergency Medical Training) certificates.
Since its inception 85 residents have become members of the
Ambulance Association 50 of these are Life Members. [These
numbers are from 1981]. New members are always welcome.
The
first birth to take place on the ambulance was on Sept. 26,
1974, to Mrs. Carmen Feuerborn. In attendance were Joan Gallagher,
Ginny Harbison and Janet Marsh. The new father, Carmen Feuerborn,
was driving with Rev. Gerry Reiss as co-pilot. When Carmen
reached the hospital, he already had a new daughter, whom
they named Susan Michelle Feuerborn.
For
many years it was discussed about where to build a permanent
home for the ambulance. It was not until late 1980, when after
many heated decisions, it was finally decided to build behind
the Municipal Building [now the Amos J. Peaslee Annex] in
Clarksboro. The building committee consisted of: Jenkin Lane,
Mark Stefanowicz, Louise Gould, Donald Denelsbeck and Rich
Dobbins. The building was completed in 1981.
Officers
for 1981 were: Mark Stefanowitz, president; Jenkin Lake, vice
president; Carl Jacobson, treasurer; Jackie Mann, transcribing
secretary; Bob Gould, Jr., captain; Ruth Hoffman, lieutenant;
Carmen Feuerborn, lieutenant; Don Denelsbeck, training officer;
John Mann and Jim Marks, engineers; and Rich Dobbins, executive
member.
In
July of 2003, when the new Township Municipal building was
completed, the Ambulance Association offices moved into the
older municipal building, renamed the "Amos
J. Peaslee, Jr. Municipal Annex" on 21 E. Cohawkin
Road in Clarksboro.
A
dedication event open to the public, was held in July of 2003.
William Calderwood, president of the association, assisted
with the ribbon cutting ceremonies.
