Rescue Squad Open House Generates Interest

After making an impassioned plea to the community for help, and later trying to seal the deal with some free hamburgers and soda, the Red Bank First Aid and Rescue Squad is hoping its Sunday open house has helped bolster the volunteer department's sagging ranks.

The rescue squad, which is part of the borough's volunteer fire department, welcomed the neighborhood to its headquarters on Spring Street Sunday afternoon, throwing meat on a jumbo grill, giving a tour of the facility and demonstrating its life saving equipment.

With the rescue squad having around 40 members answering more than 800 calls a year, it's in great need for more help. On Sunday it might have gotten some.

Publicity Chairman Shean Opie said the squad had six applicants sign up on the spot, as well as others who showed interest in possibly joining the squad. And while the open house found itself competing with the Red Bank Guinness and Oyster Festival, which may have drawn its largest crowd in three years, Opie said the squad distributed information at that event, too.

The rescue squad is still looking for volunteers. If you're 18 and want to help serve the community and your neighbors, call 732-320-6113 for more information.