
The 200 Club handed out 32 awards at the banquet for events that occurred in 2017 to members of the following organizations: Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad, Clinton Police Department, Pattenburg Rescue Squad, Clinton Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police, in addition to recognize the service of retired Chief of Police Sebastian Donaruma of Readington Township and retired Chief of Police Thomas Holmes from Tewksbury Township.
Six members of the Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad received Meritorious Service Awards for two different events in 2017.
A little before 4:35 PM, Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad was dispatched to Round Valley for a reported overturned kayak with people in the water and in distress. The Squad’s Marine Rescue Team support units and two rescue boats, along with two BLS units, arrived on location at the reservoir’s main boat launch on the northwest corner of the reservoir. Members launched rescue boats manned by Captain Chris Miller, Lieutenant Paul Smith, EMT/Rescue Tech Christopher Querry, and EMT/Rescue Tech Benjamin Hagan.
The Squad’s Chief, Frank Setnicky, set up on scene command. Hunterdon County Communications advised him there was a blue and white kayak with two victims in red life vests unaccounted for. Water rescue teams, under guidance of Lt. Smith, began a search of the reservoir just off the south dam, moving east towards campers launch and the cove area. Finding nothing in the water there, the search began moving east from campsites diagonally across the water, searching all directions visually. Shortly thereafter, the first victim was located, he was found prone, hugging the capsized kayak. He was not able to move his arms but was able to speak to the rescuers. He was helped into the Squad’s rescue boat with initial care conducted by EMT Querry, including rewarming with an emergency heat blanket.
The first victim was able to tell rescuers that the other boater was last seen northwest of their location treading water and wearing a life vest. A Man Over Board marker was activated in the GPS navigation system to secure the location where the first victim was found.
Rescue boat crews began searching in the direction indicated above but nothing was found. They then began diagonal search pattern again to cover more area.
Command told rescue crews that an item was spotted floating approximately 300 yards off shore from the main boat launch. While heading towards that location, the first victim and EMT Querry saw something bobbing in the water about 150 yards off shore towards the campsites. They found the second victim floating with only his head and upper shoulders above of the water. He was unable to speak coherently or move due to exhaustion. Rescue Swimmers Hagan and Querry quickly entered the water while Capt. Miller deployed the side retrieval netting. They were able to rescue the victim and get him into the rescue boat. Lt. Smith and Capt. Miller helped the swimmers back into the boat.
Capt. Miller took on patient care of the second victim, who was cool to the touch, shivering, and incoherent. Command was advised of the situation who requested Paramedics be dispatched to the boat ramp. The life vest and clothing were removed from the second victim, he was then wrapped in thermal blankets with heat packs.
Both victims were taken to the boat launch where BLS and ALS crews took over care for them, they were transport to Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township.
The second Marine Rescue Boat was detailed to make contact and recover the third boater, who was uninjured and on the shoreline on the opposite side of the reservoir. They also recovered the overturned kayak everyone was on.
Captain Chris Miller, Lieutenant Paul Smith, EMT/Rescue Tech Christopher Querry, and EMT/Rescue Tech Benjamin Hagan were all awarded with the 200 Club’s Meritorious Service Award for their actions in this rescue.
The second incident involved a reported industrial accident on December 14th. At 9:03 AM, Clinton Police Officers Jeffrey Ollerenshaw and Peter Tilstra, the Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad, and Paramedics from Hunterdon Medical Center were dispatched to 33 West Main Street where 58-year-old construction worker had been run over by a trackhoe causing a life-threatening crushing injury to his legs. The Police officers arrived within minutes followed by Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad members EMT/FF Shannon Giuliani and EMT Katherine Janecka. Patrolman Ollerenshaw and EMT/FF Giuliani immediately assessed the victim’s lower legs and found that a worker on scene had placed improvised tourniquets, using a dog leash and belt, on the patient’s legs. The First Responders worked quickly and efficiently to replace both with proper tourniquets, one that Ptl. Ollerenshaw carried on his duty belt, and one from the Squad’s medical bag. Patrolman Tilstra helped to stabilize the patient and EMT Janecka assisted with assessment of any other injuries.
Additional Squad members and Paramedics arrived on scene shortly afterwards continuing patient care. The victim was transported to a landing zone set up by Clinton and Quakertown Fire Companies a little over a half mile from the scene and flown to St Luke’s Trauma Center, Bethlehem, PA by NJSP NorthStar helicopter.
Clinton Chief of Police Bred Matheis said shortly after the incident, "In all likelihood if the officers weren't properly trained and equipped with trauma equipment, including tourniquets and without their quick response and actions, the victim might not have survived the scene".
EMT/FF Shannon Giuliani, EMT Katherine Janecka, and Police Officer Jeffrey Ollerenshaw were awarded with the 200 Club’s Meritorious Service Award for their actions in this incident.
Over 50 years ago a Detroit businessman elicited generous responses when he asked 100 business friends to contribute $200 each to the family of a young local police officer who was fatally wounded in the line of duty. This selfless act was the beginning of the 200 Club.
The 200 Club of Hunterdon County was established in 1976 as a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation to provide financial assistance to families of any police officer, fire, rescue, and emergency management personnel providing such services to the citizens of Hunterdon County who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. The Club stands ready at a moment's notice to provide assistance should the need ever arise. The Club is governed by an all-volunteer 15-member Board of Trustees, Officers of the Club include President Peter DeLoria, Vice President Frank Fuzo, Secretary Rich Reiner, and Treasurer Les Hall. The Club currently has over 300 members.
1st Responder Network
Story Number 050618100
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