Hamilton First Aid Squad History
To start 2021, Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad officially became part of the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad, creating a more sustainable entity to provide volunteer emergency medical services within Neptune Township, NJ, a community of more than 27,000 people overall.
“First aid services/calls have increased tenfold and because volunteer manpower has decreased, it has become more difficult to meet the needs of the public without the help of paid EMT’s,” said Robert Dreeke, a 47 year squad member who has also served as a former Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, President and Trustee. “The township has now employed the use of paid EMT’s to supplement the township’s first aid squads. Presently there are paid EMT’s on duty in the township Monday through Saturday 6am to 6pm. Volunteer EMT’s cover from 6pm to 6am and all day Sunday. So Shark River Hills, Neptune and Ocean Grove squads as well as paid EMT’s cover Hamilton’s area.”
“The community will benefit from the strengthening of the volunteer EMS program,” says Michael Bascom, Captain of the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad. “By combining with Shark River Hills, Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad’s members will be teamed with Shark River members to provide expanded coverage to the region.”
The merger has been months in the works and is a reflection of the changing demographics, the evolving volunteer EMS workforce and a dedication to the needs of the community by both squads, says Bascom.
“To maintain the best possible community service you must change with the times,” says Mike DiLeo, Trustee of Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad. “Increased call volume and responsibilities, along with changes in the way the community volunteers, require changes to the way we deliver prehospital care. The constant improvements in technology and training provide for better prehospital care and outcomes. These must be combined with the ability to provide timely, quality care.”
Facing the challenges of meeting the increased call volume, the leadership of the Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad agreed that a merger with Shark River Hills was in the best interest of the community. As of January 1, 2021, all of Hamilton First Aid’s assets, including its building, were transferred to Shark River Hills First Aid.
“They recognized the need and came up with a plan to make sure their residents get the coverage they expect when they dial 911 for help,” says Bascom.
Neptune resident Sally Klapproth, who was president of the squad as well as past captain, was the first female captain within all of the first aids in Neptune. She said that her 28 years of being a member has been rewarding but at times challenging.
“We sometimes would have back-to-back calls, 3 or 4 in a row. You sacrificed personal and family time. You would have 8 hour shifts, 7 days in a row. There were all types of calls we answered from heart attacks to childbirth,” she said. “Delivering babies was where I got the greatest joy. It is better to bring someone into this world rather than see them out.”
Her reasons for joining the squad were her interest in helping people and enjoying the camaraderie of the group. Her husband Kenneth was also a member of the squad.
“They were just a great bunch of guys. I just loved it. I already miss it and miss meeting people,” she added.
Neptune resident Fred Richart, who was on the squad for 55 years and is the longest living member, said he volunteered because it was his contribution to the community.
“There is a lot of dedication involved in being a member. It’s about helping people which is the greatest satisfaction of doing the job,” he said. “There is a lot involved but it is well worth it. It is about treating the whole person.”
The merger completes a circle of sorts. Hamilton First Aid was launched on January 1, 1956 as a way to meet the growing needs of the Hamilton section of Neptune Township. The squad launched with help from Neptune First Aid, which loaned Hamilton a 1939 La Salle ambulance. In 1960, Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad bought land on Rt. 33 and built its own headquarters. Then, 50 years ago in 1970, members of Hamilton created the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad.
Now, together, Hamilton and Shark River Hills will become one operating under the the Neptune Township Emergency Medical Services umbrella, a career and volunteer operation, which also includes the Ocean Grove First Aid Squad and Neptune First Aid Squad. Neptune Township Emergency Medical Services employees career EMS providers to respond to calls Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 6 PM. Volunteer responders cover the rest of the hours and all day Sunday.
“Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad had a strong 65 years of service,” says Bascom. “They have an illustrious history responding to local calls and some of the major disasters that have hit this area, including Superstorm Sandy and participating in the response to 9/11.”
Initially, Bascom says Shark River Hills First Aid will provide service to the Hamilton portion of the township by operating a crew out of the Hamilton First Aid building at 3600 State Route 33 in Neptune.
Bascom also says the township is early in the process of developing an extensive volunteer recruitment and retention program to enhance the membership of the Neptune Township EMS operation across the board.
As for residents of the Hamilton section of town, Bascom says the expectation is the change from Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad to Shark River Hills First Aid Squad will be seamless and undetected by most residents.
“The merger will ensure the residents continue to get the best emergency medical service provided by highly trained members when they need it, whenever they need it,” says Bascom. “The combination of these two organizations is a good thing for our community, for the membership of these two legendary EMS operations, and for the future of volunteer EMS in New Jersey.”
To learn more about how you can become a member of the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad visit https://neptuneems.org/ems-recruitment/ or follow SHFAS on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SRHFAS/.
Minutes of Regular Meeting Hamilton First Aid Squad
Dec. 8th, 1955
The first meeting was called to order 8:00 p.m. by acting President Ed Leroy. Those attending:
John Polhemus
Victor Kondrup
Edwin Leroy
Dick Taylor
Leroy Loveland
George Hall
Chris Gifford
Robert Wass
Irv Randall
George Sunris
Robert Meier
Kenneth Horrocks
Stanley R. Leefe
James Hart
The acting president explained the need for this meeting. As of Jan. 1, 1956, the Hamilton members of the Neptune First Aid Squad will form a squad of their own. This was suggested by the Neptune squad who felt that because of the tremendous growth in the Hamilton community, a separate squad was needed in this area.
Ed Leroy called for nomination and election of officers.
Irv Randall nominated John Polhemus for President. Seconded. Motion made that nominations be closed. Secretary cast ballot elected.
Victor Kondrup nominated Kenneth Harrocks for Vice President. Seconded. Motion made that nominations be closed. Secretary cast
ballot elected.
Victor Kondrup nominated Stanley R. Leefe for Secretary. Seconded. Motion made that nominations be closed. Secretary cast ballot
elected.
Leroy Loveland nominated Dick Taylor for Treasurer. Seconded. Motion made that nominations be closed. Secretary cast ballot elected.
Ed Leroy nominated Victor Kondrup for Captain. Seconded. Motion made that nominations be closed. Secretary cast ballot elected.
Victor Kondrup nominated Ed Leroy for First Lieutenant. Seconded. Motion made to close nominations. Secretary cast ballot elected.
Dick Taylor nominated George Sunris for Second Lieutenant. Seconded. Ed Leroy nominated Irv Randall for Second Lieutenant. Seconded.
Robert Wass and Leroy Loveland counted ballots. Results were: Randall 8; Sunris 4. Irv Randall elected.
Irv Randall nominated George Sunris for Sergeant. Seconded. Motion made that nominations be closed. Secretary cast ballot. Elected.
It was suggested to appoint three trustees. One to serve three years, one to serve two years, and the other one year.
Kenneth Harrocks nominated John Polhemus as a Trustee for three years. Duly elected.
George Sunris nominated Kenneth Harrocks as a trustee to serve two years. Duly elected.
Ed Leroy nominated Leroy Loveland to serve as a trustee for one year. Duly elected.
The President, John Polhemus, appointed Victor Kondrup, Irv Randall and Ed Leroy as a committee of three to meet with the committee from Neptune
First Aid Squad. The nature of their meeting is to discuss:
1/ Boundary lines of territory to be covered by squad.
2/ Equipment ownership.
3/ Insurance, cost and expiration date.
4/ Means of obtaining charter.
5/ Temporary funds.
It was decided that all members to be active in new company as of present roll call. Those entering squad here-after to serve a six-month probationary period.
George Sunris made a motion that the squad be named “Hamilton First Aid Squad.” Seconded. Carried.
The first Wednesday night 8:00 p.m. of each month was unanimously approved as the regular meeting night.
The President suggested that part of each meeting be designated for “First Aid drills.”
A suggestion was made that the Secretary send a letter to the Spring Lake First Aid Squad telling them of our newly formed squad. Also, to let them know of our interest in the ambulance they have for sale.
The President suggested limiting the membership of the squad.
Ed Leroy made a motion to limit the membership to twenty-five (25). Seconded. Carried.
New members to be Firemen of local fire district.
Ed Leroy suggested we all make an effort to create a feeling of good will in the community.
A public announcement of our formation shall be placed with the local paper after the first of the year.
A by-laws committed was appointed. Composed of: George Hall, Chris Gifford, Bob Wass.
The members decided to join the Monmouth County and State First Aid Council.
Some of the members to investigate the possibility of enlisting a squad doctor.
Meeting adjourned.
Stanley R. Leefe, Secretary
Founding Members
John Polhemus
Victor Kondrup
Irv Randall
George Sunris
Edwin Leroy
George Hall
Chris Gifford
Robert Wass
Dick Taylor
Leroy Loveland
Robert Meier
Kenneth Horrocks
Stanley R. Leefe
James Hart
