Every little bit helps, especially for all- volunteer organizations.The Middletown Township Office of Emergency Management recently accepted a 1997 E450 Ambulance donated by the Port Monmouth First Aid Squad. The ambulance was still used as a primary response vehicle, until April when in an effort to reduce costs, a new home was sought for the apparatus.

The Middletown Township of Emergency Management (OEM) was seeking a new vehicle to house their R.A.C.E.S. unit after their 1990 GMC ambulance suffered catastrophic engine failure in January. “The R.A.C.E.S. unit provides radio communications during civil emergencies and houses frequencies that can communicate with: Federal, State, and Local emergency personnel, the U.S. Military, marine units, as well as provide interstate communication via a high frequency radio”, says member Bob Roman. With this new addition, the OEMS becomes one of the only units in the state to provide a dedicated vehicle to emergency communications across all levels of government to civilian emergency volunteers.

These organizations are 100% volunteer, and are always looking for new members. Anyone interested in joining R.A.C.E.S. or the Emergency Management should contact 732-615-2129. Interested in the First Aid Squad? Contact 732-615-2252 or log on to www.middletownems.org.

OEM receives the keys from Port Monmouth First Aid Squad. From left are: R.A.C.E.S. member Bob Roman, R.A.C.E.S. Captain Mario Sellitti, OEM Coordinator Charles W Rogers, Port Monmouth First Aid Vice President Ken Howe, and Port Monmouth First Aid Captain Tanya Gioia.