Hazlet Republican Club donates $2,000 for Epi-Pens to Hazlet First Aid and Rescue Squad

Chief Steve Schmidt of the Hazlet First Aid and Rescue Squad thanked the Hazlet Republican Club for hosting a Fundraiser on September 21st to help the Squad’s acquisition of Epi-pens. To carry Epi-pens on the ambulances will cost the Squad about $7700 a year excluding replacements when they are used by a patient. Epi-pens for adults and children are different dosages and all ambulances will need two units.

Chief Schmidt noted, “ We have not been able to afford these epi-pens for some years and this fundraiser was a big step in the right direction.” As noted recently in the newspapers the cost of Epi-pens has gone from $100 to over $750 in the last few years. As a result, more parents are unable to afford the medicine so critical to saving a child or adult when confronted with anaphylactic shock which can result in a fatality in minutes. The Volunteer Squad has simply not been able to afford to acquire the epi-pens and informed Mayor Scott Aagre of this issue.

Mayor Aagre then offered to hold the fundraiser so as to not further burden the taxpayers with this cost. “ We are trying to hold the line on costs in town and this fundraiser was set up to help the First Aid Squad realize their fundraising goal.” The Fundraiser was successful in raising $1,500 for the Squad. Scott added that he wants the town to understand the incredible work the First Aid Squad does for the town every single day. “ These volunteers save the town literally millions of dollars answering over 1,600 911 calls a year. I encourage everyone to support them. In addition to the money raised at our fundraiser, the Hazlet Republican Club is donating an additional $500 dollars for a total donation of $2,000 to the Hazlet First Aid and Rescue Squad to cover half of the initial costs needed for epi-pens since these are so vital to so many as the first step in emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions.”

“At the present time, there is no cost for the voluntary services provided by the squad. The main source of income for the Hazlet First Aid Squad is through fundraising and donations made by the residents of Hazlet Twp. Equipment costs, training, and building and vehicle maintenance is very expensive..... please keep in mind your donations go a long way! The members of the Hazlet First Aid & Rescue Squad are your friends, neighbors, and fellow residents. They volunteer day and night because your life depends on it and because these volunteers care for all Hazlet residents. Be proud of your first aid squad as we are of them.” y

Chief Schmidt added,” It costs the Squad about $70 for every 911 call we answer, we have to fund raise about $35 of that $70.” Anyone wishing to help fund the acquisition of these epi-pens can do so through our web page page with PayPal at http://hazletfirstaid.org/donate.html or send a check to the Hazlet First Aid and Rescue Squad, PO Box 162, Hazlet, NJ 07730.