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.