Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps

The Rutherford First Aid-Ambulance Corps, a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation, mailed its 2009 annual fund drive appeal to Rutherford residents and businesses during the second week of January. The Rutherford Ambulance Corps has served the residents and visitors of Rutherford for the last sixty years with around-the-clock emergency medical ambulance services. During 2008, the Rutherford Ambulance Corps responded to over 1,141 calls for assistance - an average of just over three calls every day. Each year, the members of the community have shown their thanks by supporting the extraordinary efforts of the Corps with their generous donations.

The Rutherford Ambulance Corps relies on public donations to fund its operating budget. In the past, the community's generous financial support has helped the organization maintain the highest medical standards. The Corps' equipment, supplies, ambulances and other necessary materials are all purchased with contributions. In addition, the Rutherford Ambulance Corps does not charge the patients it serves, regardless of whether they are Rutherford residents or out-of-towners who require emergency medical ambulance service while visiting or passing through the borough.

The financial costs of operating this service for the community are significant. In 2008, only 17.4% of the 7,953 residents and 6.38% of the 847 businesses solicited responded to our request for financial support. Based on our 2008 call volume, our operating expense for each ambulance call answered was $100.58.

The Rutherford Ambulance Corps is a volunteer organization with over 35 members certified by the State as Emergency Medical Technicians and provide hands-on emergency ambulance service.

In addition to staffing the ambulances, the volunteer members of the Rutherford Ambulance Corps must contribute additional time in order to stay current with the extensive training required to qualify as Emergency Medical Technicians under State requirements. They operate three fully equipped emergency ambulances, with one new ambulance purchased every four years to assure reliability.

The Rutherford Ambulance Corps welcomes new volunteers to help provide emergency medical services for the people injured each year in automobile accidents and other accidents, and for the various medical problems which occur in Rutherford's many business/office complexes and homes. Free training is available to those age 16 or older and is provided at various locations in Bergen County. Interested parties can call the 24-hour hot line for recruiting at 201-460-3000 X 3181.

If you did not receive a fund drive letter and would like to make a tax-deductible donation you may mail your donation to the Rutherford Ambulance Corps at P.O. Box 217, Rutherford, NJ 07070.

Members of the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps recently posed for their Annual Memorial Day picture to encourage residents to join their organization as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician. The Ambulance Corps is actively recruiting new members. Call the 24-hour recruiting hot line number at 201-460-3000 X 3181 for information or click on the Membership link to the left.

The Rutherford First Aid-Ambulance Corps, a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation, mailed its 2008 annual fund drive appeal to Rutherford residents and businesses during the second week of January. The Rutherford Ambulance Corps has served the residents and visitors of Rutherford for the last fifty-nine years with around-the-clock emergency medical ambulance services. During 2007, the Rutherford Ambulance Corps responded to over 1,245 calls for assistance - an average of just under three and one-half calls every day.

In Memoriam: Linda J. Collins
The members of the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps recently mourned the loss of one of their members with the untimely death of Linda J. Collins on April 5, 2007. Linda had been a member of the Ambulance Corps since January 2004 and was certified by the State Health Department as an Emergency Medical Technician. Linda had volunteered her time with the Ambulance Corps by providing emergency medical services to her community by being on ambulance duty Tuesday and Saturday evenings. "She was a devoted squad member and, although she had a very busy personal life and was working extra shifts at work, she put in many hours volunteering with our organization" noted Ambulance Corps Captain Arnie Listhaus. "She would often ride on Saturday evenings until midnight and set her alarm for 3 a.m. in order to wake up for her job on Sunday morning" noted Listhaus, who was one of her riding partners on both Tuesday and Saturday evenings. "When I asked her what motivated her to push herself so hard for the Ambulance Corps, she related, that the Ambulance Corps and the town had taken care of her father when he was ill, and she felt she needed to give back to the organization and town that had helped her dad in his time of need", noted Listhaus. That statement by Linda, Ambulance Corps President Brian O'Keefe says, speaks volumes about Linda's dedication and loyalty to our organization and this community, and let's one know the type of caring person Linda was. She was a loyal volunteer in the truest sense of the words. The mayor and council of Rutherford introduced a resolution of condolences on behalf of Linda, which was presented to her family by members of the governing body at the wake service, along with the lowering of all American flags in the borough to half staff, in honor of Linda. Linda is survived by her mother, Lillian Collins; her brother, Robert and wife Lynn; her sister, Patty and husband Ed; her sister, Vickey; and Linda's two children, Mary Beth and Robbie, and three grandchildren, Miranda, Ariel and Crystal. "Linda will be missed by the Ambulance Corps for her many benevolent deeds, her unselfish life, the respect and esteem in which she was held," noted O'Keefe.

The Rutherford First Aid-Ambulance Corps, a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation, mailed its 2007 annual fund drive appeal to Rutherford residents and businesses during the second week of January. The Rutherford Ambulance Corps has served the residents and visitors of Rutherford for the last fifty-eight years with around-the-clock emergency medical ambulance services. During 2006, the Rutherford Ambulance Corps responded to over 1,231 calls for assistance - an average of just under three and one-half calls every day.

WHEREAS, the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps, Inc., for the last 57 years has provided an invaluable lifesaving service to the Borough of Rutherford and its residents and businesses by responding to a wide variety of medical emergencies within the Borough; and

WHEREAS, the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps, Inc., is comprised of many selfless individuals who volunteer countless hours over the course of the year to aid and assist residents of this community and others who require medical assistance, often under very difficult circumstances; and

The Rutherford First Aid-Ambulance Corps, a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation, mailed its annual fund drive appeal to Rutherford residents and businesses on January 5, 2006. The Rutherford Ambulance Corps has served the residents and visitors of Rutherford for the last fifty five years with around-the-clock emergency medical ambulance services. During 2005, the Rutherford Ambulance Corps responded to 1,359 calls for assistance - an average of just over three and one-half calls every day.

The Church of St. Mary recently made a contribution to the Rutherford First Ambulance Corps during the Corps annual appeal for donations. Rev. Michael J. Kreder, Pastor, is pictured above presenting a $1,000.00 check to Ambulance Corps President Brian O’Keefe, thanking the members of the Corps for their dedicated service to the Borough and their assistance provided to the St. Mary School System and Church Community throughout the year.

President O'Keefe noted that the Corps was grateful for the continued financial and spiritual support from St. Mary, since last year only 19.67% of the residential and 7.82% of the businesses in town contributed to the Corps annual appeal for assistance. Residents and the businesses can send their tax deductible donation to the Ambulance Corps at PO Box 217, Rutherford, N.J. 07070.

Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps member Brian M. O'Keefe is pictured here receiving an award from VFW Commander Andrew E. Bertone (left) at recent Loyalty Day Ceremonies. The Squad Officers of the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps proudly submitted the name of Brian M. O'Keefe to receive the 2004 VFW Post # 227 Loyalty Day Award.

The awards name clearly highlights Brian's association with our organization. Since joining the Ambulance Corps in 1973, Brian has faithfully volunteered his services by continuing to ride the ambulance as a New Jersey State Heath Department Certified Emergency Medical Technician. Brian has held numerous Officer positions in the Ambulance Corps over the last 31 years by serving as Squad Captain, Training Officer, Trustee and has chaired various Committees within our organization. He currently is in his second term as Corporation President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Brian O'Keefe emulates the meaning of loyalty and dedication to one’s town and our organization and the Ambulance Corps is proud to see Brian receive the VFW Post #227, 2004 Loyalty Day Award.