Atlantic Highlands First Aid Gets Real Distress Call During Drill

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — While they were doing a large-scale water rescue drill, first responders from the Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Atlantic Highlands Fire Department responded to an actual call of a boater in distress this past Sunday, June 25.

The joint training was underway off the beach in Atlantic Highlands when an emergency call came in for a vessel taking on water as it headed to the Leonardo State Marina.

Immediately, crews from both organizations, using boats and jet skis, headed toward Leonardo. Fortunately, the boater made it to the marina without incident before the teams arrived and all passengers were safe.

Sunday’s drill was part of a two-day Surface Water Rescue Boat Operations class taught by Safety and Survival Training, which included one evening of classwork followed by a full day on the water.

On Sunday, first responders trained to rescue people from the bay; they learned how to transfer them safely onto various watercraft, and how to get them additional care. Participants also worked heavily on boat and Jet Ski handling techniques.

“During the summer months, we have an extremely active harbor and we need to be prepared for all types of emergencies,” said Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad Chief Jerry Pandolfo. “It is also critical that we work together with our colleagues in the Fire Department because when an emergency happens, we will all be in it together.”

“It is important to have drills like this to retain our knowledge of rescue procedures, the types of equipment we have and the ability to properly use that equipment in an emergency,” said Atlantic Highlands fire chief, Brian Sheehan.

The Atlantic Highlands Fire Department and the Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad are both all-volunteer organizations. For information on how to become part of the fire department, call the non-emergency number 732-291-2002 or find it on Facebook. For information on the AHFAS call the non-emergency number 732-291-8118 or find it on Facebook, or online at www.ahfirstaid.org.