Lavallette First Aid Squad

LAVALLETTE FIRST AID SQUAD HISTORY
First Lavallette Squad Building built by members on corner of Washington and Grand Central Avenues. Dedicated in 1950 L. to R. Charles Schlosser, Jr.. Bob Wilbert, John Cagni, Charles Schlosser, Sr., Police Chief Joe Borrelli, Name unknown, Mildred Schlosser, Joe DeVaul, Fred Swearingen, Helene P. Griffith. Sitting: Coleman Brice, Sr
In August 1942 a group of public spirited citizens banded together and formed the Lavallette First Aid Squad, Incorporated. Prior to that time ambulance service for the borough was provided by the Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Squad, and later, by Tri-Boro First Aid Squad of Seaside Park. Initial officers in the new squad were: Orsi Chambers, President; Charles Schlosser, Sr., Vice President; Joe De Vaul, Treasurer; and F. Coleman Brice, Sr., Secretary. Lavallette's first ambulance was a 1928 Studebaker donated by the Tri-Boro Squad. Initially the Squad operated with a membership of approximately fifteen and provided coverage for a five mile stretch of the beach extending from the south boundary of Lavallette north to Mantoloking. In those early days the squad answered less than 100 calls per year. The Squad's first home was located at the comer of Grand Central and Washington Avenues in a building which now houses the Police Department. This building was constructed largely by members, using building materials donated by borough residents. The Squad occupied this building until 1960 when the Borough purchased the building for use by the Police Department. At that time the Squad built headquarters at its present location on Washington Avenue and Bay Boulevard . The construction was financed by donations and squad funds.
In 1962, due to an increasing number of calls, the Squad bought a second ambulance and increased its membership to twenty-five persons. As the Squad continued to grow, an addition to the squad house was completed in 1969 which provided space to garage up to four vehicles. In the early 1980's a second addition was completed to provide space for storage, an office, a supply room, enlarged bays to accommodate larger ambulances, a commercial kitchen and the Sunset Room. The building is used as a means of raising money when the Sunset Room and kitchen are rented for special occasions. The Squad still depends on the generosity of the residents of Lavallette for the majority of its operating funds but conducts several other fund-raising events during the year. Most notable of these are the Jimmy Buff sausage and pepper sandwiches its makes and sells at the Heritage Day festival and its Sunday Sunset Suppers during the Gazebo concert season.	Lavallette First Aid Squad Burns Mortgage and Dedicates Two New Rigs Burning of mortgage and dedication of two new rigs: L. to R. Engineer Philip Slowinski (kneeling), A.J. Sanzari, 1st Lt. Bill Matthaei, President Diana Simpson, 2nd Lt. Arthur Simpson, Captain and Vice President Theodore Golubowski, September, 1986
In 1957, the executive committee of the Squad authorized the formation of a Ladies Auxiliary. Its sole purpose is to provide financial aid to the Squad. Its first president was Mildred Schlosser. The present membership includes twenty-five active non-affiliated members. The Auxiliary conducts monthly card palties and two highly successful Flea Markets in July and August of every year.
L to R: Art Anderson, Roman Birchler, Louis Hesse, P. W. Bloom; 1960's.
Today the Squad has come a long way from those days in the early 1940's. In 1996 equipment consisted of two fully equipped modem ambulances, a four-wheel drive vehicle that can be used for emergencies on the beaches, and a rescue truck equipped with many extrication tools including the Jaws of Life. In 1996 The Squad continued to maintain a roll of twenty-five active members and handle approximately 600 calls a year. The present members of the First Aid Squad continually take classes to improve their skills and hold in-service training sessions, as well as drills. Today's members exhibit the same dedication that has provided Lavallette with the finest emergency medical service available throughout the years. Ricard Ginglen,Jr. and Arthur Simpson contributed to this article