Source: http://www.1rbn.com/webpages/news/DisplayNews.aspx?PT=state&state=NJ&ID=872f588c-609e-4fc3-9374-14fbaf6a5be9 

​By RICHARD MAXWELL Correspondent
1st Responder NetworkStory Number 072617104
Disclaimer: This article is a direct street report from our correspondent and has not been edited by the 
1st Responder newsroom.

Well, more like the Squad participated in the Clinton Township Junior Police Academy this morning, along with the Annandale Hose Company.  Members spent a few hours working with the "Recruits" of the Academy, showing them a little about what we each do, how we interact, and requirements for membership in both organizations.  

The 22 Junior Police Academy recruits started their week-long program yesterday, under the direction of officers from Clinton Township Police, and will spend modules, just like a real academy, learning about how an officers life may look like.  And yes, they make it even a little realistic with physical training, line ups and marching, along with a Squad Leader and Guidon.  

Participants had the opportunity to learn some CPR and choking patient skills, and see some of the equipment the Squad uses to treat patients of sudden cardiac arrest.  They also had the opportunity to review our Heavy Rescue Truck, and demonstrate some of the tools used to stabilize, make access to or lift a vehicle involved in an accident.

The Annandale Hose company finished up our session with dressing the recruits up into full turnout gear, with SCBA and radios in hand, and gave them an insight into what conditions may be like in an actual house fire, utilizing their Smoke House training trailer.

And then we sent the recruits off to lunch, before being joined by representatives of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office giving them demonstrations from their Narcotics Task Force and K9 units.  

Students came out with a new appreciation for how heavy the gear firefighters and rescuers wear and carry is.  We would like to thank the Clinton Township Police Department for adding this module to the program this summer, and look forward to participating again in the future, as well as to the AHCO1 for hosting the day's activities.

​Past participants, some of whom were also on hand, have joined our department once turning 16 years old, the age necessary to be part of the CFARS Cadet program. This is the same age that AHCO1 also allows new volunteers.  For more information about our cadet program, or volunteering in general, please visit our membership drive website at http://www.joinclintonems.com 

​

Each June, not only graduation means the beginning of summer, but so does the Immaculate Conception Church Parish Festival comes to the Annandale section of town; and CFARS is there ready to provide EMS coverage.  

Starting well before the festival even opens, officers of the Squad meet with the organizers of the event, now in it's 15th year.  They focus on the safety and security of all those attending, and making sure all the public safety agencies are involved.  Then comes Wednesday night, when our crews start arriving.  

After a briefing held each evening, our volunteer members then staff multiple Ambulances that are on stand by in case someone is injured or ill, as well as a Unified Command Post, Rescue crew and our off-road all terrain Ambulance.  

In total, our volunteer crews treated 19 patients, with 1 transport to the hospital for further evaluation during the five day event.  We'd like to thank all those who took time out of their family time to help offer coverage at this fun, family event.  

If you would like more information on how to join our team of volunteers, please visit www.joinclintonems.com 

The Clinton Art Museum was the setting this warm afternoon for a forum to discuss Overdose Awareness here in Hunterdon County.  Under a standing room only tent, panelists from the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office, Author Tom Davis, Town of Clinton Police and Lt. Michelle Gardner & EMT James Blau from the Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad, and the New Jersey State Police.  For over an hour, the panelists took questions from community members, and described current actions and resources available for the current and growing Heroin Addiction issue across the region.  

The day's events opened with Heather Jone's Girl Scout Award documentary "Opiate Addiction".  Also on hand where the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office with their Prescription Take-Back Box, the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities, GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing), Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon/Somerset, Teen Challenge of NJ, among others.

We would like to thank Lori Altamirano who organized this event in the memory of her daughter Briana Kaylyn Hoppel, who was 17 when she died a year ago on August 31, and all those who have been affected by the disease of addiction.  

Since Monday of this week, CFARS has had a presence at the 2015 Immaculate Conception Parish Festival.  Wednesday night, when the festival opened, crews where on hand to handle simple assistance to true medical emergencies.  Based out of our Incident Support Unit on the Northwest corner of the school, our members had on hand ambulances, our ASAP Off-Road all terrain ambulance, a rescue truck during fireworks on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, and many volunteers giving of their time.

In all, a total of 56 members provided 275 man hours of support to the festival over the 5 days.  21 Patients where assisted, with just 2 needing transport to the hospital from the grounds.  

Thank you to all our members who took their time to volunteer at the festival, as well as to the community members who stopped by to say hello.  

The Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad is always looking for volunteers.  A new EMT Class will be starting in September.  For more information on volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.clintonems.com/membership-info.html