Twp of Washington Ambulance Entertains Local Brownie Troop

Members of the Township of Washington Volunteer Ambulance Corps recently paid a visit to the Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 97083 meeting at Jesse F. George School, Township of Washington, on February 1, 2019. While there, Corpsmembers offered a tour of the back of the ambulance as well as opportunities to play with the ambulance’s lights and siren up front. The girls were then offered a lecture on basic first aid from the Corpsmembers, so they may earn their first-aid patch.

The day started with the girls receiving a tour of the entire ambulance. In the back, they sat on the benches and strapped themselves in to the “special seat belts” of an ambulance. A few were even brave enough to lay on the stretcher! The girls learned where different supplies were kept, how they were used, and even got a lesson in military time after noticing the clock. In the front of the ambulance, the girls sat in both the driver and passenger seat, while Captain Bob Rayve demonstrated the lights and sirens. The girls were extremely fond of testing out the different sirens.

Later in the afternoon, the girls listened attentively to a lecture, lead by Lt. Justin G. Tsai, from the Corps on first-aid. The squad first reviewed when and what to say when calling 9-1-1 with the Brownie Troop. Along with the instruction on calling 911, Corpsmembers also emphasized the importance of safety first in an emergency, including the importance of using gloves, not touching bodily fluids, and washing hands, staying on the line with 911 until told otherwise, staying with the patient if possible, and keeping the patient warm and comfortable. Following this, the squad taught the girls how to properly apply a bandage and how to apply pressure to a wound that is bleeding, and let them practice on their friends or members of the squad. The troop learned how to “pop” a disposable ice pack, and were showed how oxygen is given to a patient. Most importantly, the Corps emphasized the importance of “WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL FOR HELP.”

Corps members who participated in this event were: Captain Robert S. Rayve, Lieutenant Justin G. Tsai, EMT Christopher Hahn, EMT Nina Buchakjian, Probationary EMT Lindsey Sirois, and EMR Joseph Conway.

Girl Scouts at the Brownie level are between Grades 2-3 and ages 7-9. The Corps would like to thank the Brownie Troop and their leaders Alicia Xaka and Roni Silberstein for affording us this fruitful opportunity to both educate and positively influence the young ladies of Brownie Troop 97083. Many congratulations to the Brownie troop for receiving their first-aid patches!

The Corps would be very eager to participate in any future opportunities to reach out to the public, especially the young. As always, the Corps also needs additional members, any person interested in volunteering their time can find our application online at www.wtvac.org or call us at 201-664-3784. Lastly, the Corps also has loan-out medical supplies available to residents of the Pascack Valley, anyone in need of free equipment may contact Naomi @ 201-474-5626.

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Photo 1 Caption: Members of the Township of Washington Volunteer Ambulance pose for a photo with the George School Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 97083. Pictured left to right: Capt. Robert S. Rayve, Lt. Justin G. Tsai, EMTs Lindsey Sirois, Christopher Hahn, Nina Buchakjian, and EMR Joseph Conway.

Photo 2 Caption: Lieutenant Justin G. Tsai leads a lecture for the Brownies on basic First Aid. EMTs Christopher Hahn and Nina Buchakjian look on, while Probationary EMT Lindsey Sirois prepares an oxygen tank for a demonstration.

Photo 3 Caption: EMTs Nina Buchakjian and Lindsey Sirois lead a tour of the rear of the ambulance.

Photo 4 Caption: Capt. Bob Rayve shows off the truck’s lights and sirens to the Girl Scouts in the front.