Beach Haven First Aid Squad Stepping Outside the Box to Recruit

As the spring air warms and summer approaches, Beach Haven First Aid Squad President Deb Whitcraft said she is becoming more concerned about the number of people about to descend upon Long Beach Island.

Membership on the first aid squad has dropped in recent years, as some members of the first aid squad have been displaced following Sandy, and others have aged. Whitcraft is worried as the summer population swells, the squad - and other volunteer first responders on the island - may not be able to keep up with increased demands.

To address the issue, the Beach Haven First Aid Squad is offering emergency medical technician housing, if they promise to volunteer a certain number of hours this summer.

"I'm sure all of your volunteer organizations face the same thing, that's kind of the sad reality. Some of the problem you can blame on Sandy, but our problems started even before the storm. The sense of volunteerism is not like it was when I was growing up," Whitcraft said.

Compliating the problem is that the requirements for emergency medical technicians have changed in recent years, Whitcraft said.

"Unfortunately, there is method to the madness. Many of the paid services would like it very much if they gained as many areas as possible, so it is often difficult to maintain certifications because they want the business," Whitcraft said. "They want the territory, it's a sad reality, but that plays a role."

A recent controversy over the volunteer first aid in Barnegat sparked similar concerns. 

Complicating matters in Beach Haven, Whitcraft said, is the number of people who are now living on the island, as numbers continue to drop following the storm. She said even the town's fire chief has been displaced, and other volunteers are having difficulties finding year-round housing.

Kevin Black sold his home in August and was living on Long Beach Island full-time when Sandy hit and forced him and his family from their family home. He had been planning on volunteering with the Surf City Volunteer Fire Company. His wife also volunteers with the local first aid squad. But both of them will likely have to move to Manahawkin next month, as the price of rental homes on the island rises and becomes too pricey to stay.

"It's kind of upsetting to see all these homes for rent, and they are all weekly rentals," Black said. "A few places I have called, they will say 'oh, I already have this month booked.'" And Black notes he is not alone. He said he has heard of at least three other volunteers in Beach Haven that have had to move off the island after being displaced during Sandy, and now are being priced out of rental homes as summer prices begin to go into effect. 

During the winter months, the Beach Haven First Aid squad has about 10 members answering calls, and that number may double over the summer. But that is significantly down from a few short years ago, when membership was in the 30s.

However, Whitcraft said, the squad is making progress, thanks to support from local Mayor Robert Keeler and Long Beach Township Mayor Joseph Mancini.

"Mayor Mancini has offered to hire special law enforcement officers, with EMT licenses, to allow them to respond to complete the calls with us," Whitcraft said. "In the past, we had police officers who were EMTs, but they were not in a position where they could complete the call, because they had to go back to complete their work ... Mayor Keeler and Mayor Mancini realized we needed some additional help from people who will be authorized to complete calls with us, so I see some light at the end of the tunnel."

She also said credited recent media reports with helping to create interest in people joining, and said she recently had two license EMTs take the squad up on their offer of the summer housing.