BY GINNY RAUE
HEWITT — On June 2, 1955 the Upper Greenwood Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UGLVAC) officially came into being. It is reported that an accidental drowning in Lake Lookover that year was the driving force behind the organization of the local community squad that has gone on to serve the district for the last 60 years.
In 1955, an Upper Greenwood Lake weekend resident, a member of the Dumont First Aid Squad, shared his knowledge and experience and assisted in the formation of the corps. With the help of a local business owner, the first ambulance was purchased.
Known as “139,” its police department call designation, the ambulance was a 1947 Cadillac with more than a few miles on its odometer. “One-thirty-nine” was housed in the firehouse and residents’ garages until the present squad building was erected in 1959.
Although there have been many changes over the last 60 years, the mission of the UGLVAC remains constant: Patient stabilization and transportation to a hospital.
TodayUGLVAC Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Joe Siciliano, 62, is as dedicated to the health and welfare of West Milford residents as his predecessors. He was already a member of West Milford Search and Rescue when he decided to join the ambulance squad.
An Upper Greenwood Lake resident, Siciliano is a married father of two children and one of 20 UGLVAC volunteers.
He put in his 70 hours of training to become an EMR and is now on call one night a week and is responsible for a 24-hour stint one weekend day a month. The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) designation requires 220 hours of training and each classification must be recertified every three years.
UGLVAC has two rigs in its facility on the Warwick Turnpike that respond to 350-400 calls per year. Along with answering medical crisis calls, they stand-by at local events and respond to fire and other emergencies.
So why did a 58-year-old decide to join up? He summed it up in one simple sentence.
“It’s for the joy of helping people,” he said.
He spoke of the efforts of all West Milford’s volunteer emergency workers and noted the savings the town enjoys as a result of their presence and willingness to provide services to the residents.
Each ambulance roll out requires a two-person team and, like other volunteer services in the township, there is a lack of available manpower in the daytime hours.
“Sometimes we have to revert to the West Milford First Aid Squad and if they’re out we go to other towns for mutual aid,” Siciliano said.
New members will always be welcome at UGLVAC. At age 16 a volunteer can become a junior member, but no member under the age of 21 is permitted to drive the ambulance. Interested parties are asked to contact the UGLVAC (see side bar) or for more information visit the web site.
YesterdayIn 1972 the UGLVAC by-laws were amended permitting women to join for the first time. Since that time women have played a vital role in the 24/7 essential coverage.
At one time the call-out for an ambulance and crew depended on a telephone chain, today they are dispatched by the West Milford Police Department. New technology has provided upgraded ambulances, equipment and training.
TomorrowAs the UGLVAC acknowledges the last 60 years of service, it also looks forward to continuing its important responsibility to the community.
The members are well aware of the sacrificial role their families play in their volunteer activities and, as always, they depend on West Milford residents to help support the squad financially and/or physically by becoming a member.
Time is a precious commodity, perhaps even more so today than 60 years ago, but saving a life, easing fear and pain and being there when needed is something these volunteers thrive on.