Carteret First Aid Squad

History of our squad

The Carteret First Aid Squad is entering its 70^th year as one of the oldest volunteer first aid squads in New Jersey . Back then it was just basic first aid, help the sick and the injured, and get them to someone with a higher medical knowledge, The first ambulance that was used by the volunteers, was an old hearse that was given to them from a local undertaker. As times changed, more and more women and young adults became members of the first aid squad. The squad became a member of the New Jersey State First Aid Council. This allowed squads from all over the state become more familiar with the latest equipment and standardize what is required to outfit an ambulance for emergencies. The First Aid Council is divided into districts, which Carteret is one of the members of the 14^th. In the day when first aid was practiced through open competitions, Carteret was recognized as the premier squad, the one you had to beat. Well, not too many beat the Carteret First Aid Squad. Our building houses all the trophies and awards that were won by those men, women and young adults.Today advances in emergency medical service techniques and technology are taught by state certified instructors. There was no such thing as CPR and a defibrillator when the squad was first formed. It wasn’t until the 1990s that volunteer squads carried a defibrillator. Today we carry one on every ambulance we own. The squad remains a non-profit, privately run organization, staffed 100% by volunteers. Unlike other emergency services in Carteret, you, the citizens of Carteret , are not taxed for the services that we provide. None of our members are paid for the endless hours they devote to the squad.The town of Carteret does contribute to the organization by way of an annual donation and supplies fuel for the ambulances. But most of all the squad is run entirely on donations from you and the business and industry that are located within the town.Now that you know a little more about the squad and the volunteers who run it, we hope you remember us and support us in the next 70 years.