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The Lambertville Ambulance Association is one of the oldest volunteer ambulance squads in New Jersey. It organized in 1914 under the auspices of the Lambertville Fire Patrol, when the Patrol invited area doctors to a demonstration of the Pulmotor - an early artificial respiration device. The Doctors and local industries were given the names of the Patrolmen to contact in case the Pulmotor was needed. The Patrol, concerned for the care of fire victims and firefighters, placed a first aid box and oxygen cylinders on a fire truck in 1918.
The founding members of the Lambertville Rescue Squad placed emphasis on training and equipment in order to handle any emergency the community might encounter. During the Delaware River flood of 1955 squad members worked for 72 continuous hours in order to save lives and property. The Squad participated in many State and international competitions. Its record for winning World Heavy Rescue Championships is unequalled. Numerous awards have also been won in the team categories of male, female, mixed and youth first aid.
Continuing the finest traditions of the two parent organizations, the Lambertville Ambulance & Rescue Squad changed its name to the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance & Rescue Squad. This was done in 1985, to reflect a more accurate description of the Squad's service area, and to encourage participation by citizens on both sides of the Delaware River. During recent floods of the Delaware, the Squad was again pressed into service to rescue of residence caught in rapidly rising flood waters.
Today, the Squad's equipment includes state-of-the-art "Jaws of Life", automatic external defibrillators, advanced rescue and emergency care devices. Emergency vehicles include three ambulances, a crash-rescue vehicle, a technical rescue truck, a service van, two standard rescue boats, two inflatable boats and an airboat rescue craft.
The Squad headquarters completed in 1974, located on one of Lambertville's hills, overlook the Delaware River and surrounding countryside. Banquet facilities with a capacity for 230 guests are provided on the second floor of the headquarters. The Ladies Auxiliary, formed in 1950, has provided strong support to the membership throughout the years. The Auxiliary has operated the banquet hall since its opening in 1974.
Current Squad members complete training as Emergency Medical Technicians or ambulance attendants, and are required to be certified annually in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. In addition, members are trained in the latest techniques for emergency heart defibrillation, using Automatic External Defibrillators (AED). A full-time, paid daytime-crew, along with dedicated volunteers covering overnight shifts, answer more than 1200 emergency calls each year.
Services are provided 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The Squad does not charge for any services. The Squad receives its operating funds through contributions from the public and through the Squad's own fund-raising efforts. Additional support comes from the municipalities served by the Squad. The annual operating budget is $390,000.
The Squad benefits from outstanding community support from civic groups, local government and the community at large. The Squad maintains a youth program and conducts first aid and CPR classes for various local organizations.
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