Summit's First Aid Squad Celebrates 60th Anniversary

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit's Volunteer First Aid Squad recently celebrated its 60th anniversary of serving the community.

The squad was first formed in 1962 when Sis Barker and Betty Bangs, both of whom were members of the Junior League, decided to start a First Aid Squad in Summit.

With the blessing of the Junior League, they began their project and enlisted the help of a local businessman, Michael J. Formichella. He used his influence in the community to help organize the Squad. On July 28, 1962 the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad, Inc. was officially formed.

Overlook Hospital donated its old ambulance, which the squad used for a few months until it was able to purchase a new Cadillac ambulance. The ambulance was housed for a couple of years in Formichella’s garage on Broad Street, and members met and trained in their homes, according to a press release.

A building fund was then organized to construct a headquarters for the new Squad. The City of Summit agreed to lease a piece of land on Summit Avenue, across from LCJ Summit Middle School, to the Squad for one dollar per year.

Much of the work on the building including excavating, plumbing, heating and electrical was
either donated or performed by volunteers. Construction was completed in 1964.

Since then, the Squad has expanded to provide emergency services 24/7 to Summit and surrounding communities on a volunteer basis.

The Squad relies exclusively upon donations from private citizens and foundations, receiving no funding from the City of Summit. All Squad members are volunteers who seek no compensation.

John Staunton joined the Squad over 30 years ago shortly after returning home from Villanova University, according to the press release. He had some first aid experience as a lifeguard
instructor and gained interest in EMS after witnessing an accident involving a friend at school.

"EMS has been like a second career for John, as his 'day job' has been primarily as an engineer," the press release states.

He became CPR-certified and then an EMT instructor at a young age and has served in multiple positions over the years, including as president and currently as chief.

“Serving on the Summit First Aid Squad has been a great experience where I’ve made some lifelong friends and had the chance to help many neighbors as well as perfect strangers," stated Staunton. "What I like most about the Squad is how people from various backgrounds and walks of life can work together so effectively to fulfill such a vital mission."

Mel Harari, joined the Squad 14 years ago in July 2008 and has been the Records Lieutenant since 2009. She moved to the United States from Argentina in 2001, according to the squad's press release.

Without any prior medical experience, Harari attended EMT school that fall. Two of Mel’s sons were junior members, both of whom became doctors, and thought she would enjoy becoming a volunteer.

“I’m not sure if they hadn’t been members of the squad, they would have become doctors," Harari said. "Being on the Squad was a big exposure to the healthcare industry for them.”

During her years at the Squad, Harari said she gained a level of empathy and understanding for individuals with physical issues that she never had before.

“I am now able to put myself in the position as a patient. My experiences helped me tremendously when my mother was ill. My knowledge assisted me in making decisions regarding my mother’s
care.”

An EMT since 2021, Mateo Zoubek joined the squad at age 17 as a member of the junior program.

Zoubek, a student at Newark Academy, was interested in pursuing medicine as a career option and wanted experience in the field. Zoubek attended EMT school during the summer of 2021 and found the course much easier, since he was familiar with equipment and had basic knowledge of patient assessments.

He then decided to take a gap year after high school to obtain hands-on experience as an EMT to "expand upon the limited patient interaction received as a junior member."

“Joining the squad is a great way to serve the community and obtain experience in the medical field I wouldn’t otherwise have," Zoubek said. I think it’s been a great stepping stone for my career choice. For adults who aren’t in the same career-choice position as I am, I think it’s a great way to serve the community in a productive manner.”

Zoubek is attending Georgetown University majoring in neurobiology.

Latly, Jenny McIlwain first joined the Squad as a member of the junior program the summer after her sophomore year at Summit High School. She thought it would be a good indicator in determining if she wanted to go into medicine or not.

“I think I had the best training during my time as a junior," McIlwain said. "Every single shift we
would practice skills and training. By the time I got to EMT school, I had a leg up on everyone else because I learned so much before going in.”

McIlwain completed EMT school in June 2021 and is majoring in neuroscience at the University of
Washington in Seattle.

As the Squad begins its seventh decade of service, it is actively seeking new members. Current members include men and women of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.

Most people who join the Squad have had no prior medical experience.

For more information, or to inquire about joining the Squad, visit their website, summitems.org/join.