Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Encyclopedia
The Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. is a not-for-profit EMS organization in Hackensack
, New Jersey
. The Corps serves the City of Hackensack, and nearby towns via mutual aid agreements. Its primary hours are 6pm to 6am Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday. The Corps is available at any time for special events, emergency recall, or to assist the Hackensack University Medical Center's EMS during daytime hours.
Both the Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps are dispatched by MICCOM, the Northern New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Communications. MICCOM provides dispatch and emergency medical call taking with pre-arrival instructions and updates.
with nine charter members and one ambulance
in May, 1948. The ambulances and members were housed in a small building located at the corner of The Esplanade and Central Avenue on the location of the current Nellie K. Parker Elementary School.
By the mid 1960s, the amount of emergency calls increased so much that the Corps had to buy three ambulances and recruit more volunteers so that they could serve the city effectively.
Originally, the Corps operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As time progressed, the number of emergency calls increased, and the Corps found it more and more difficult to recruit volunteers for the daytime shifts. The Hackensack Fire Department
supplemented the ambulance service during daytime hours, Monday through Friday 6:00am to 6:00pm.
On February 14, 1974, the Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. joined forces with Hackensack Hospital
to form a cardiac unit, which was composed of a nurse, doctor, and a volunteer EMT. The Corps transported the nurse and doctor to the scene of life threatening emergencies to initiate pre-hospital advanced life support procedures. This was the beginning of the Hackensack University Medical Center’s Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic
Unit.
In 1976, after two years stationed behind the firehouse on South Summit Avenue, the Corps relocated to its present location behind the City Hall complex.
In September 2008, Hackensack's emergency medical communications operations became the responsibility of MICCOM (Northern New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Communications). Improvements to the Corps and its fleet included the implementing of Global Positioning System (GPS), allowing MICCOM to dispatch the nearest unit.
As of January, 2010, the Corps is led by a Chief, Deputy Chief and two Captains.
. Standard equipment on each ambulance includes: an automated external defibrillator (AED); epinephrine auto-injectors (Epi-Pen); oxygen administered via nasal cannulas; non rebreathing masks and bag valve masks; various length splints; oral glucose; sterile gauze bandages and medical tape; blood pressure cuffs; oral suction device. The city-designated fleet numbers are 190, 191, 192, 193 and 194 and are painted on the front and rear of each ambulance.
The Corps' uniform consists of blue long-sleeve shirts, with the Corps' patch on the upper left arm and the NJ EMT patch on the upper right arm. Above the left breast pocket is a silver patch identifying the wearer as a Hackensack EMT. The uniform also includes matching pants and a belt. EMTs provide their own black shoes/boots.
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The Corps serves the City of Hackensack, and nearby towns via mutual aid agreements. Its primary hours are 6pm to 6am Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday. The Corps is available at any time for special events, emergency recall, or to assist the Hackensack University Medical Center's EMS during daytime hours.
Both the Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps are dispatched by MICCOM, the Northern New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Communications. MICCOM provides dispatch and emergency medical call taking with pre-arrival instructions and updates.
History
The Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. was incorporatedIncorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
with nine charter members and one ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
in May, 1948. The ambulances and members were housed in a small building located at the corner of The Esplanade and Central Avenue on the location of the current Nellie K. Parker Elementary School.
By the mid 1960s, the amount of emergency calls increased so much that the Corps had to buy three ambulances and recruit more volunteers so that they could serve the city effectively.
Originally, the Corps operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As time progressed, the number of emergency calls increased, and the Corps found it more and more difficult to recruit volunteers for the daytime shifts. The Hackensack Fire Department
Hackensack Fire Department
The Hackensack Fire Department, provides fire protection to Hackensack, New Jersey in the United States. The fire department serves a population of 43,062 people.-History:...
supplemented the ambulance service during daytime hours, Monday through Friday 6:00am to 6:00pm.
On February 14, 1974, the Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. joined forces with Hackensack Hospital
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center is a 775-bed non-profit, research and teaching hospital located seven miles west of New York City, in Hackensack, New Jersey, providing tertiary and healthcare needs for northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area...
to form a cardiac unit, which was composed of a nurse, doctor, and a volunteer EMT. The Corps transported the nurse and doctor to the scene of life threatening emergencies to initiate pre-hospital advanced life support procedures. This was the beginning of the Hackensack University Medical Center’s Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
Unit.
In 1976, after two years stationed behind the firehouse on South Summit Avenue, the Corps relocated to its present location behind the City Hall complex.
In September 2008, Hackensack's emergency medical communications operations became the responsibility of MICCOM (Northern New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Communications). Improvements to the Corps and its fleet included the implementing of Global Positioning System (GPS), allowing MICCOM to dispatch the nearest unit.
As of January, 2010, the Corps is led by a Chief, Deputy Chief and two Captains.
Fleet
The Corps currently operates four ambulances: two 2011 Frazer type-1 ambulances, a 1999 Wheeled Coach type-3 ambulance, and a 2005 Horton type-1, as well as a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police InterceptorFord Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Though the name has been officially in use since 1992, the 1978–1991 full-size LTDs and LTD Crown Victorias and 1992 updated body style used the "P72" production code designation for both fleet/taxi and police models, with the model itself being internally classified as S...
. Standard equipment on each ambulance includes: an automated external defibrillator (AED); epinephrine auto-injectors (Epi-Pen); oxygen administered via nasal cannulas; non rebreathing masks and bag valve masks; various length splints; oral glucose; sterile gauze bandages and medical tape; blood pressure cuffs; oral suction device. The city-designated fleet numbers are 190, 191, 192, 193 and 194 and are painted on the front and rear of each ambulance.
Uniform