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ABOUT THE MILTON FIRST AID SQUAD

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History of the MILTON FIRST AID SQUAD

The Milton First Aid Squad was established back in 1959. Jefferson Fire Co.#1, also known as Milton fire Company #1, was the home of all emergency services in Jefferson Township back then and this included fire and ambulance services.

The Milton First Aid Squad came about because a small group of people recognized the need for professional first-aid services within our community. Alex Durosky and Jack Kelly, who served Jefferson Fire Co.#1, were instrumental in organizing the people and the effort.

On Memorial Day, May 30, 1959, the Milton First Aid Squad went into service with a donated 1948 Cadillac hearst, which was painted and refurbished for use as an ambulance. (This was the usual form of transport to the hospital back then). The Milton area of Jefferson Township now had its own First Aid services. The original dispatchers were Jack and Rose Kelly, Alex and Rita Durosky, Emil and Dot Norman, and Larry and Mary Parr. These dispatchers received the call, gathered the necessary information, then proceeded to telephone the duty crew. In 1969, the Milton First Aid Squad purchased plectron home receivers, a device that permits members to receive the calls simultaneously, and these were activated by the dispatchers at the police department.

The Milton First Aid Squad began with 32 members, both male and female, probably some of them are now your friends and neighbours! Today we still volunteer our professionalism, and have a membership of about 30 active people. One of those members has been active within the squad from day one, namely Marge Babich. Marge began her career in EMS with the Milton First Aid Squad in 1959 and is still active today, in 2001. The members we have today are like those of over 40years ago - men and women, friends, neighbours, teachers, mom's, dad's, high school students, college students, the list is endless. And so is their dedication to our community, to our need for a free Emergency Medical Service. Without our volunteers, none of these sevices would be available for FREE.

Up until 1975, the Milton First Aid Squad was housed in the Firehouse on Milton Road, which belongs to Milton Fire Co #1, Jefferson Township. The Squad is eternally grateful to them for their support and facilities they, the Milton Fire Company, shared with us. Through numerous hours of donated labour on the part of Squad members, as well as the magnificent generosity of local contractors and citizens, the dream of having our own base for the ambulances and crews became a reality.

The new facility permitted the Milton First Aid Squad to expand it's free, professional services to the community. We now have three, up-to-date, fully equipped ambulances at the ready. Oh, how times have changed! The ambulances are bigger for patient care and comfort, and hold a lot more gadgets than they used to! It's better for everyone! Through donations we collect wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, and many other items that would help our community residents in their time of need. We loan out these items to our township residents, or their families, who need them for FREE. We also accept monetary donations which go towards our equipment needs and the maintenance of our ambulances.

Since 1975 the Squad has expanded it's training materials and equipment. Our building provides the proper environment to house the materials and equipment needed for training our volunteer personnel. We have training drills on a monthly basis, this keeps our knowledge and our skills up-to-date and accurate.

The last few years in the building have given our Squad the opportunity to mature and grow, to become a family. Forty two years have passed since the Milton First Aid Squad began serving the residents of the Milton/Oak Ridge area of Jefferson Township. The first twenty years were the hardest, as are all beginning years when starting a new family or business. But, with the financial, physical, and moral support of our township governing body, and our friends, neghbours, and fellow citizens, we have a very proud history.

To the charter members, we, and the community of Milton/Oak Ridge, thank you for your foresight. We, the present members, pledge to carry your commitment of First Aid excellence and Medical professionalism into this, our new millenium.

Thank you to all our volunteers who so willingly give to our community for FREE. Volunteers really do give from the heart.

EMAIL US

emtjo@mail.emsvillage.net