BERKELEY – Representatives of the Bayville First Aid squad said that they’ve received more interest in their cadet program recently.
Cadets are 16-18 years old and help with such things as lifting patients and taking blood pressure.
Pat Sperber, a trustee who has a long-time association with Bayville First Aid, said that COVID-19 hurt the cadet program but now it’s making a comeback. One of the reasons is that Mayor John Bacchione put the EMS in touch with Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder, superintendent at Central Regional. Dr. CRY had EMS members meet with children during their lunch period.
Sperber thanked the mayor at a recent Township Council meeting for putting this in motion, which helped them sign up many high schoolers.
This is an optimal opportunity for young people if they are interested in pursuing nursing or similar positions. Several police officers have also received their foundations here, she said. They will be back at the school for career day.
“Kids who want to go into the medical field – or even if they just want to help – it’s a good start for them,” Bacchione said.
Bayville First Aid Chief Cody Jordan said that the cadets are between 16 and 18 years old. They learn CPR and other life-saving skills. With training, they are career-ready once they turn 18.
The cadet program answers the need for community services hours that a student might need, he said. It also looks good on college applications.
If a high school student is interested, they should go to the website at Squad13.org, click on “Join Our Team” and fill out the application.
In other news, Mayor Bacchione said that he had met with other mayors of barrier island communities. This Ocean County Barrier Island Flood Mitigation Consortium creates strength in numbers if the towns are all seeking grants or other assistance. Berkeley has a small portion of land called South Seaside Park which is just north of Island Beach State Park. The town also contains half of an island that drivers hit just after they take the bridge to seaside.
Business Administrator Scott Tirella said that the fee for weddings performed by the mayor is increasing from $75 to $100, and now $125 if the mayor has to go out of town. The fee is waived for active military personnel.
The Township Council awarded several projects to bidders: Shoreline protection at Butler Boulevard will be done by R. Kremer & Son Marine Cont., LLC in the amount of $609,800; Port Royal Drive and Bananier Road Improvements will be done by Earle Asphalt in the amount of $463,813.13 (the New Jersey Department of Transportation funded $202,170 of this); and various drainage improvements will be done by Shore Connection, Inc. in the amount of $726,304.
