The Fanwood Rescue Squad had crews on standby during the entirety of the snowstorm that descended on us on Wednesday, March 7th, 2018. The storm dropped about a foot of wet, heavy snow that brought down numerous trees and power lines, some of the worst damage seen since Hurricane Sandy.
A live electrical wire came down on top of Fanwood ambulance 578 the night of March 7th, 2018, as the crew was on the way back from RWJ Rahway hospital where they had just transported an individual injured by a falling branch. The crew reports there were blue flashes and pops and suddenly the wire was on top of them. They stopped the ambulance and sat tight on Lamberts Mill Road for approx. 90 minutes for a PSE&G crew to arrive to turn off the power. Thanks to the Scotch Plains Police and Fire Depts for staying in radio contact with our crew and for doing what they could to keep the scene safe for others. The FRS crew has quite a story to tell and the PSE&G guy gave our crew chief a piece of the cable as a souvenir (photo below).
The Fanwood Rescue Squad took possession of its new ambulance on Friday, February 23, 2018. The color scheme is a departure from the brown and tan combination that was the standard since 1977, though those elements still exist. The ambulance, which will replace a 17 year old model, is a 2017 Braun Signature Series on a Ford 350 chassis with 6.7 liter diesel engine and 4-wheel drive. All drivers will be trained on the new ambulance before it is put into service. The Squad is grateful to the taxpayers of Fanwood, who financed the $202,875 cost.
Wesley Lewis, 12, son of Squad Sergeant Ian Lewis, was recognized as Fanwood’s Volunteer of the Month by the Mayor and Council for his work in support of the annual Go Red for Women’s Heart Health campaign. Wes, who is being Bar Mitzvah’d in September, did his mitzvah project of spreading the word about heart disease in women, raising $350 for the American Heart Association and participating in the Go Red event at The Chelsea on February 2nd. Wesley was accompanied by his sister, Elana, and father Ian. Wes was presented with a print of Fanwood’s historic train station by Councilman Tom Kranz.
