Who we are Week

Who we are Week: In this weekly series we would like to shine a light on who Tabernacle Rescue Squad is and what we provide to the community. Currently the township committee and an emergency services sub committee are discussing options on what emergency services will look like going forward in Tabernacle. TRS and it’s volunteers have been serving this great township since 1953 and look forward to continuing to do so. This week we would like to share with you, what that service looks like to our residents, provided by our residents. Today we look at Rescue/Special Operations:

Rescue and Special Operations are one of our most misunderstood areas of service. Historically Emergency Squads began to train in vehicle extrication and other rescue operations because these are typically patient driven operations. This is why those in the industry say “we cut the car away from the patient, not the patient out of the car”. That small, yet crucial distinction reminds rescuers of the point of the endeavor. Over time many emergency squads had to give up Rescue due to manpower restraints and increasing BLS call volume. Tabernacle Rescue Squad is one of the few emergency squads who have been able to maintain and even grow this component of their patient driven service. TRS has not only continued to train and conduct vehicle extrication at high caliber, but has added to its rescue centered services. We now have a class of membership called Special Operations. Although most of our volunteers hold certifications in both areas of service, you can volunteer with our organization as a Special Operations member only. Because vehicle accidents are not the only thing our patients may need rescue from have grown our areas of service over the years after seeing a need in our community for such services. They now include Firefighter Rehabilitation through a working relationship with the County and Equine Rescue after joining forces with Pinelands CERT, OEM, and various Equine groups. We also have volunteers who are part of the Burlington County Technical Rescue Task Force who most recently attended hands on training on Grain Rescue, a valuable skill to serve our local farming community. Tabernacle operates Rescue 4399 (Big Blue) and Rehab 4398 (Little Blue) for these services. We also operate Marine 439 to provide water rescue and recovery and through another shared service with the County we operate Mass Casualty 43 to respond to large scale incidents. We are proud of the ability our organization has had to continue and even grow our offerings in these areas of Rescue to our patients and those in need. We are proud of our Special Operation volunteers and their many commendations and Hurst Green Cross Awards for exceptional extrications performed by the Tabernacle Rescue Squad. Our service to our community remains to be, as it always has been, about the best outcome for all who need our assistance.

Who we are Week

Who we are Week: This week we would like to shine a light on who the Tabernacle Rescue Squad is and what we provide to the community. Currently the township committee and an emergency services sub committee are discussing options on what they would like emergency services to look like going forward in Tabernacle. TRS and it’s volunteers have been serving this great community since 1953 and look forward to continuing to do so. This week we would like to share with you each day, a different part of what that service looks like to our residents, provided by our residents. Today we look at BLS: 

BLS providers. When you think of Tabernacle Rescue Squad you probably think of ambulances. Although that’s not all we do, it is a majority of the over 900 calls we answer annually. Our volunteers operate 4 ambulances. 4391, 92, and 94 are the standard ambulances you may think of, but we also utilize an off road ambulance, 4393, for rescuing individuals in need of our aid in the large swaths of wooded areas in our township. Our first out ambulance is staffed with at least 2 state certified volunteer EMT’s at all times, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This duty crew program is staffed in 6 hour increments but many of our volunteers serve in 12 hour shifts or more at a time. These volunteers remain in town ready to answer any call which occurs during their shift for their hours of duty crew. We are proud of our ability to not just answer 1st rig calls, but also 2nd and 3rd rig calls when our duty crew is answering another call or a call requires more than one ambulances. We are not the only ones who have recognized this excellence however, the State of New Jersey Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services recognized us at their annual statewide conference as the Outstanding Volunteer EMS Agency in the state for 2013.

Tree Stand Safety

The Tabernacle Rescue Squad knows that Deer Hunting Season is upon us. We would like to take a moment to share the following safety information with you about Tree Stand Safety. 

Happy Veterans Day 

As we celebrate Veterans Day today, it is important to remember the services that men and women have given our country. Please take the time to thank a Veteran, either past or present, for the sacrifices they have made for this country. 

Passing of Past Member Becky Scott

The Tabernacle Rescue Squad regrets to announce the passing of Paramedic Becky Scott. Becky was a former member of Station 439 as well as many other emergency services organizations in the county. Becky may have lost her courageous battle, but her legacy of service and compassion will live on through the countless lives she improved during her emergency services work and just as importantly, in those of us who were privileged to call her our friend. Rest in peace sister, we've got it from here.

Heat Advisory!

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the South Jersey area from June 11th-12nd, 2015. With heat index vaules predicted to be at or above 90˚ in South Jersey, it is important to be mindful of activities during your time outdoors.

We would like to share the following Red Cross safety tips for coping with the high temperatures:

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.

• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 105 degrees.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.