<![CDATA[INDEPENDENCE FIRST AID SQUAD - News]]>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:12:24 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Response Statistics For 2023]]>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 03:08:28 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/response-statistics-for-2023Last year was the busiest in the history of the Independence First Aid Squad, with 2348 requests for service.

This represents a 54.6% increase over the 1519 requests for service during 2022 and a 151.3% increase from the 934 requests for service in 2021.
 
Here are the responses by the municipality for 2023:

Independence Township - 389
Liberty Township - 202
Mansfield Township- 1010
Allamuchy Township - 53
Belvidere – 6
Blairstown Township- 44
Franklin Township- 2
Frelinghuysen Township – 69 (35 Long-term Care Facilities) 
Hackettstown - 306
Hardwick Township - 12
Harmony Township - 4
Hope Township - 36
Knowlton Township - 38
Oxford Township - 7
Phillipsburg - 1
Washington Borough - 61
Washington Township - 66
White Township- 36
Mount Olive (Morris County)- 2
Washington Township Morris County- 4

The above calls are the calls the Independence First Aid Squad was requested to respond to. The primary EMS agency or a closer mutual aid agency may have canceled our response to some of the calls we were dispatched to. 
 
During 2023, the First Aid Squad had 1794 patient contacts and 1349 patient transports.
 
Average Dispatch to Responding: 2.94 (A 31.79% decrease from 2022)
Average Dispatch to Scene (All): 11.9 (A 31.79% decrease from 2022)
Average Dispatch to Scene (Primary): 11.99 (A 0.58% decrease from 2022)

In 2023, the Independence First Aid Squad missed 26 calls in our primary area. 

The following EMS Agencies handled the 26 calls:
Allamuchy-Green First Aid Squad- 2
Atlantic Ambulance (BLS 15-51 Covering E39)- 2
Hackettstown First Aid and Rescue Squad- 17
Lebanon Township Fire Department EMS- 2
Oxford Emergency Squad- 1
Washington Emergency Squad- 2


We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. For more information, visit www.73rescue.org
]]><![CDATA[new volunteer EMTs!]]>Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:03:30 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/the-independence-first-aid-squad-would-like-to-congratulate-three-of-our-newest-volunteer-emtsThe Independence First Aid Squad would like to congratulate three of our newest volunteer EMTs, Taylor, Jose, and Brian!

Taylor Coughlin has been a member since October of 2022 and passed her National EMT exam on September 21st of this year. When Taylor is not busy spending time on one of our ambulances, she works as a Public Safety Telecommunicator for the Warren County Department of Public Safety.

Jose Duarte has been a member since January of 2021 and passed his National EMT Exam on August 21st of this year. When Jose is not busy spending time on one of our ambulances, you can find him working at his family-owned pizzeria.

Brian Kostenbader has been a member since January of this year and passed his National EMT Exam on September 8th. When Brian is not busy spending time on one of our ambulances, you can TRY to find him wearing one of his many hats as Chief of the Tri-County Fire, OEM Coordinator for Mansfield Township, instructing at the Warren County Fire Academy, working as a firefighter in Hunterdon County or working at one of our local businesses.

We are so proud of Taylor, Jose, and Brian and happy they are part of our growing volunteer family. All three members have put countless hours into their EMT education, allowing us to better serve our communities!
]]><![CDATA[Response Statistics for August 2023]]>Tue, 05 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/response-statistics-for-august-2023 Response Statistics for August 2023 

Last month, the Independence First Aid Squad was dispatched for 239 calls for service.

Here are the responses by the municipality for August 2023:
Independence Township - 29
Liberty Township - 18
Mansfield Township- 89
Allamuchy Township – 3
Blairstown Township- 10
Frelinghuysen Township – 8 (5 Long-term Care Facilities)
Hackettstown – 27
Hardwick Township- 5
Harmony Township- 3
Hope Township – 9
Knowlton Township- 9
Oxford Township- 2
Washington Borough – 12
Washington Township - 9
Washington Township (Morris County)- 1
White Township- 5

The above calls are the calls the Independence First Aid Squad was requested to respond to. The primary EMS agency or a closer mutual aid agency may have canceled our response to some of the calls we were dispatched to.

During August 2023, the First Aid Squad had 181 patient contacts and transported 147 patients.

August 2023 Response Times (All Calls):
Average Dispatch to Responding: 2.95
Average Dispatch to Scene: 13.83

In August 2023, the Independence First Aid Squad missed no calls in our primary area.
​
We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. For more information, visit www.73rescue.org]]><![CDATA[April 2023 response statistics]]>Fri, 05 May 2023 16:00:47 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/april-response-statisticsResponse Statistics for April 2023

Last month the Independence First Aid Squad was dispatched for 167 calls for service.

Here are the responses by the municipality for April 2023:
Independence Township - 38
Liberty Township - 14
Mansfield Township- 72
Allamuchy Township – 3
Belvidere- 1
Blairstown Township- 3
Frelinghuysen Township – 3 (1 Long-term Care Facilities)
Hackettstown – 20
Hope Township – 3
Knowlton Township- 1
Washington Borough – 3
Washington Township – 3
White Township– 3

The above calls are the calls the Independence First Aid Squad was requested to respond to. The primary EMS agency or a closer mutual aid agency may have canceled our response to some of the calls we were dispatched to.

During April 2023, the First Aid Squad had 124 patient contacts and 98 patient transports.

April 2023 Response Times (All Calls):
Average Dispatch to Responding: 2.73
Average Dispatch to Scene: 12.51

In April 2023, the Independence First Aid Squad missed two calls in our primary area.

The following EMS Agencies handled the two calls that we missed in our primary area:
Hackettstown First Aid and Rescue Squad- 2
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We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. For more information, visit www.73rescue.org]]><![CDATA[Heartsaver CPR and AED!]]>Mon, 01 May 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/heartsaver-cpr-and-aedThe Independence First Aid Squad is excited to announce another public outreach class for June, Heartsaver CPR and AED!

The American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR and AED training program is a classroom, video-based, instructor-led course that teaches adult CPR and AED use and how to relieve choking on an adult. This course teaches skills with AHA's research-proven Practice-While-Watching (PWW) technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback and guide the students' learning of skills.

The Heartsaver CPR and AED Course will run on June 17th, 2023, at our building at 3 Regina Lane, Great Meadows, NJ 07838, from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Course cost is $65.00 each.

When checking out for the course, the PayPal option also accepts regular credit card payments; you do not need a PayPal account.

To sign up, please click the "enroll here" button on the training section of our website.
https://www.73rescue.org/trainingcenter.html

Did you know the Independence First Aid Squad offers multiple other training programs to community groups, businesses, and the general public? Courses can be held at our building, and we also provide on‑site or private programs.
​
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at trainingcenter@73rescue.org
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]]><![CDATA[Childcare and Babysitting Safety Course!]]>Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/american-health-and-safety-institution-childcare-and-babysitting-safety-courseThe Independence First Aid Squad is excited to announce our first offering of the American Health and Safety Institution Childcare and Babysitting Safety Course! 

The Child and Babysitting Safety training program is designed to focus on supervising, caring for, and keeping children and infants safe in babysitting settings. The program provides fundamental information on the business of babysitting, proper supervision, basic caregiving skills, and responding properly to ill or injured children or infants.

Even though CPR/AED and Basic First Aid certification are not required as part of this course, it is strongly recommended, so we will also be offering an American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED the directly after the Child and Babysitting Safety Course. 

The Childcare and Babysitting Course will run on June 10th, 2023, at our building at 3 Regina Lane, Great Meadows, NJ 07838, from 8 am to 12 pm. The Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED will start at 1 pm and run until 5 pm. 

Both courses cost $80.00 each, but we offer a bundled deal for both courses at $140.00. 
When checking out for the course, the PayPal option also accepts regular credit card payments; you do not need a PayPal account. 

If you have any questions please reach out to us at trainingcenter@73rescue.org 
​
To sign up, please click the "enroll here" button on the training section of our website. 
https://www.73rescue.org/trainingcenter.html
]]><![CDATA[Pet Oxyygen Mask Kit]]>Sat, 22 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/pet-oxyygen-mask-kitThe Independence First Aid Squad would like to thank The Tiny Farm Childcare Experience for donating us five additional Wag'N O2 Fur Life - The Pet Oxygen Mask Initiative Pet Oxygen Mask Kits!

With these additional kits, we can now have a pet oxygen mask kit on all four ambulances, Special Services 735 and Car 735.

We are incredibly excited to be able to have enough pet oxygen mask kits to be able to help our furry friends in every one of our units!
​
Thank you The Tiny Farm Childcare Experience!
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]]><![CDATA[Independence Structure Fire]]>Sun, 09 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/independence-structure-fireOn Sunday, 4/9/23, at 1341, the Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department, Hackettstown Fire Department, and the Independence First Aid squad were dispatched to 2 Main Street in Independence Township for the reported structure fire.

BLS 73-52 (Main Station) and BLS 73-51 (Station 2- Tri-County Fire) responded within minutes of the initial dispatch.

The incident was quickly upgraded to a 1st alarm assignment after the Warren County Department of Public Safety Communication Center received multiple calls reporting flames coming from a residence.
Special Services 735 and BLS 73-53 also responded to the incident.

Two dogs and one cat were pulled from the fire by Hackettstown Fire Department Firefighters. Independence First Aid Squad crews provided first aid to the dogs by utilizing our pet oxygen masks. Crews performed CPR on the cat, which sadly succumbed to its injuries.

Due to the condition of both dogs and a large amount of EMS resources on location, Chief 735 approved BLS 73-53 to transport both dogs to the Harmony Animal Hospital. Both dogs are expected to make a full recovery.

While returning from the animal hospital, BLS 73-53 handled a medical call in our primary area.
EMS units provided rehab services during the incident. One civilian and firefighter were transported to Hackettstown Medical Center for minor injuries.

All EMS units cleared the scene at 1803 hours after being cleared by Incident Command.

During the incident, the Lebanon Township Fire Department BLS Unit was moved to Station 2 (Tri-County Fire Company) as a standby unit.

EMS Units on Scene:
BLS 73-51
BLS 73-52
BLS 73-53
Special Services 735
Deputy Chief 735
Lieutenant 735-1
Lieutenant 735-2
Hackettstown First Aid and Rescue Squad BLS 78-51, BLS 73-53, Special Services 785 (Cascade Unit)
Saint Clare's Health MIC 57
Fire Agencies on Scene:
Hackettstown Fire Department
Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department
Mountain Lake Fire Company- 72 Fire
Good Will Fire Company #1
Hope Volunteer Fire Department - Station 38 Fire
Allamuchy Fire Dept.
Washington Fire Department Station 83
New Jersey Forest Service
Other Agencies Involved on Scene:
Independence Police Department
Hackettstown Police Department
Warren County Department of Public Safety FMAC 1, FMAC 6
Warren County HAZ MAT Response Team - Station 22
American Red Cross New Jersey Region
Washington Township (Morris County) Bureau of Fire Prevention
New Jersey State Division of Fire Safety
​
We are collecting gift cards for the family involved in this devastating fire. Gift cards can be dropped off at our building at 3 Regina Lane, Great Meadows, NJ 07838, any time, or you can call (908)-736-6109, and we can arrange a time to pick up the gift cards from you.
]]><![CDATA[new fleet addition bls735-4]]>Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/new-fleet-addition-bls735-4The Independence First Aid Squad would like to introduce BLS 73-54!

BLS 73-54 is a 2017 PL Custom Ford F-450 Classic 156. BLS 73-54 is on a 4x4 chassis making this the second 4x4 vehicle in our fleet. This unit is also equipped with a Stryker power load system making this our third Ambulance with a Stryker power load system.

We want to thank our friends at NJDRP for all of the hard work making sure this unit is mechanically up to our standards and Elite Vehicle Solutions Hunterdon County for the excellent graphic work to make BLS 73-54 look identical to our current fleet as well as performing some much-needed safety upgrades to the unit.
You will see BLS 73-54 out on the road late next week after crews stock the unit and take it to its OEMS inspection.
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We would also like to thank Mansfield Township for the Ambulance to serve the communities better!
]]><![CDATA[march 2023 response statistics]]>Sun, 02 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.73rescue.org/news/march-2023-response-statisticsResponse Statistics For March 2023

Last month proved to be another busy month for the Independence First Aid Squad, with 213 requests for service.

Here are the responses by the municipality for March:
Independence Township - 40
Liberty Township - 21
Mansfield Township- 95
Allamuchy Township – 3
Belvidere- 1
Blairstown Township- 1
Franklin Township- 1
Frelinghuysen Township – 7 (5 Long-term Care Facilities)
Hackettstown – 21
Hardwick Township- 1
Hope Township – 3
Knowlton Township- 3
Washington Borough – 7
Washington Township - 7
Out of County- 2

The above calls are the calls the Independence First Aid Squad was requested to respond to. The primary EMS agency or a closer mutual aid agency may have canceled our response to some of the calls we were dispatched to.

During March, the First Aid Squad had 156 patient contacts and 106 patient transports.

March Response Times (All Calls):
Average Dispatch to Responding: 2.85
Average Dispatch to Scene: 12.09

The Independence First Aid Squad missed no calls in our primary area in March.

March was a very busy month for our training center. In March, our training center ran multiple classes certifying over 60 people in CPR for the month.
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We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. For more information, visit www.73rescue.org]]>