Middle Township Ambulance Corps Holds 50th Anniversary Celebration

COURT HOUSE — Since the all-volunteer Middle Township Ambulance Corps was incorporated, on June 13, 1958, there have been countless calls for help by the community, and none has gone unanswered.
On June 14, the members gathered to celebrate the milestone occasion with speeches, prayers, group photograph and blessing of the corps and its three ambulances.
President Debra A Rue was mistress of ceremonies for the event that included Sen. Jeff. Van Drew (D-1st), Freeholder Gerald Thornton, Police Chief Joseph Evangelista, Cape Regional Medical Center President and CEO Joanne Carrocino, Court House Fire Chief Calvin Back, Committeeman Stephen Barry and Township Administrator James Alexis.
Pastor Peter Thomas of First Baptist Church of Cape May and Rev. Antony Savari Muthu of Our Lady of the Angels Church offered prayers and blessings for the corps and its members.
Middle Township Mayor F. Nathan Doughty said when the corps was first established, the ambulance was kept at Kindle Ford, then two blocks from the present corps headquarters. Robert Kindle, founder of the dealership and chief in 1958-59, would take daytime emergency calls. Kindle attended and sat near the podium during the ceremony.
Night calls were taken by Matlack Funeral Home on Hand Avenue, Doughty said.
“These are some of the people who made this happen. We have to thank them very much,” said Doughty.
Draped in black crepe behind the podium was the name of George Simpkins, chief in 1964, and retired Middle Township municipal clerk, who recently passed away.
‘What great changes have taken place in the field you’re in,” said Van Drew. “What hasn’t changed are the hearts and minds and the souls of the people who volunteer and do what you do.”
Volunteers are “a rare breed willing to do more and give more and work in a profession that makes a difference in human beings’ lives,” Van Drew added.
“I commend you for taking the time to volunteer and go through the training to become certified. I speak not only for myself but for all the citizens of Cape May County that you protect,” stated Thornton.
In the midst of the ceremony, at 12:33 p.m. members of Rio Grande Rescue Squad, who assumed all rescue duties for the day, and who were present at the event, were summoned to an emergency. The screaming siren as the rig headed south on Route 9 was a reminder of how vital are the services of the volunteers.
“I have this feeling of confidence and relief, that when a call is received at 2 a.m., these volunteers are ready to help. The service they provide is next to none,” he said.
The chief accepted a plaque on behalf of his department from Rue, since it, too, is marking its 50th year of service to the residents of Middle Township.
“We deal with the people at Cape Regional Medical Center every time we go out on a call into the emergency room and work with the nurses,” said Rue.
Carrocino presented a proclamation on behalf of the board of directors, medical staff and employees of Cape Regional Medical Center to the corps.
Dr. Michael Dudnick, medical director of the Emergency Department at Cape Regional lauded the volunteers, (who range in age from 16-78).
“You are taking care of people in times of their most dire needs…We in the ER could not do out job if they didn’t do their job. On behalf of the patients we take care of, thank you very much,” Dudnick said.
Rue presented a plaque to Arthur Cornell, member since 1975 and president from 1990-2004. Cornell thanked Ben Weimer, who was president from 1971-72 for helping him when needed.
“Can it get any hotter?” asked Corps Chief Cindy Gorman.
She noted the cycle of increase and decrease in membership over the years, the incorporation of a paid emergency medical system, which is “backed up” by the volunteers, and other changes.
“The call volume hasn’t stopped. The volunteers are still very busy. It’s a pleasure to have a 50th anniversary. It’s something that doesn’t happen that often,” Gorman said.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, honorary corps members Ian Swarr, a 10-year-old from Washington Borough, Pa., who suffered from Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic skin disorder, was presented with a number of gifts and helmet making him an honorary member of Cape May Court House Fire Company No. 1.
According to Swarr’s mother, Delicia Bolin, the condition is caused by missing collagen that holds skin together. He must be wrapped in bandages from the neck down daily, she said.
When the corps group photo was taken, Swarr joined them.
Finally, Rev. Savari Muthu, known widely as “Father Anthony,” blessed the three ambulances with holy water, invoking the Lord’s blessing on them, those who drive and work in them, and the people who are being taken to medical treatment in them.