First aid, fire officials take posts for 2010

PLUMSTED — For the first time, the New Egypt Volunteer First Aid and Emergency Squad and the New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company held a joint installation of officers and awards dinner ceremony on Jan. 23 at the New Egypt Elks Lodge.

Mayor Ron Dancer said officials from both of the community’s emergency response organizations reported that the joint ceremony was a cost savings and symbolic of their joint cooperative efforts to serve residents.

Dancer said 2009 marked the first year of operation for the Plumsted Township Fire District to provide emergency medical basic life support service during the day and the New Egypt Volunteer First Aid and Emergency Squad covering nights.

During 2009, the New Egypt Volunteer First Aid and Emergency Squad responded to 589 calls and the Plumsted Township Fire District emergency medical service handled 709 calls, for a total of 1,298 responses.

Award winners for the New Egypt Volunteer First Aid and Emergency Squad were: Top Responder award, Barbara Platt, with 240 calls of service. The 2009 President’s Award recipient was also Barbara Platt. The 2009 First-Aider of the Year award went to Donald Robbins III.

Recognized for 20 years of volunteer service was Eric Heiss, and a 30-year service pin was presented to Deneen Hill. Attaining life membership status were Shawn Richard and Dave Rogers Jr.

The New Egypt Volunteer First Aid and Emergency Squad has 37 active members, of which 26 are emergency medical technicians (EMT); seven first-aiders; and four auxiliary members.

Dancer administered the oath of office to newly installed officers and trustees for 2010. The 2010 officers are Dave Rogers, captain; Shawn Richard, first lieutenant; Donald Robbins, second lieutenant; and Jodi Byrne, sergeant.

Administrative officers for 2010 are Eric Heiss, president; Robert Byrne, vice president; Barbara Platt, treasurer; George Ivins, assistant treasurer; and Mandy Danberry, secretary.

Trustees for 2010 are Mandy Danberry, Robert Byrne, Donald Robbins, Eric Heiss and George Ivins.

The New Egypt Fire Company’s installation of Fire Line Officers for 2010 are Bill Allen, chief; Steve Morgan, career deputy chief; Don Kernan, assistant chief; Ron Tilghman and P.J. Bendick, captains; Mark Matyi, safety officer; Rick Byrne, career captain; Mike Cowell, fire police captain; and Justin Erving, chief engineer.

During 2009 the fire company responded to 350 incident calls for a total of 3,088 personnel hours and in excess of that were 2,385 hours of training.

Highlighting the awards ceremony was a presentation to Donald Robbins III as Firefighter of the Year. The New Egypt Fire Company has been serving Plumsted for more than 100 years.

The Plumsted Board of Fire District Commissioners, who are elected by the registered voters of the township, are Chairman Aaron Heller, Gene Pullen, Marvin Howell, Patty Tilghman and Bill Rasmussen.

Dancer said free tax preparation assistance for low- to middle-income seniors in Plumsted has been scheduled every Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. through April 14 at the Plumsted Library, 119 Evergreen Road. Plumsted residents must preregister and schedule an appointment by calling tollfree the Ocean County Office of Senior Services at 1-800-668-4899. If qualified, seniors are to call the Plumsted Library at 609-758-7888 to schedule an appointment.

Plumsted’s Senior Outreach Services organization has seats available for the Rainbow Dinner Theater bus trip to Paradise, Pa., to see “Nana’s Naughty Knickers” on Feb. 24. Preregistration is required. Call 609-758-2241, ext. 111, for ticket prices and more information.