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Leonardo first aid squad inc. was
Founded in 1951 by Alvin Maxson and John Nepp. The squad
was started with just seven members . The first ambulance,
a 1940 Cadillac, was purchased from the Keansburg First
Aid Squad in March of 1952. The ambulance was stationed
at Al Maxson's home. The Brentwood Inn, located at the
corner of Highland Ave and Leonard Ave served as the
dispatch center as well as the squads meeting hall.
the squads first real Building was a donated garage,
belonging to John Leonard, which was placed in al maxin's
backyard. This building was located near the intersection
of Center Ave and Thompson Ave. in the early part of
1953, the squad purchased a second ambulance, a 1947
Buick for $2,875.00. In July of 1954 the squad was donated
8 parcels of land by Mr. Gelhaus and plans were put
into works on funding a permanent squad building. Almost
2 years later on August 31, 1956 our building was dedicated
open for service.
Later on in 1956, the squad established a water rescue
unit, which proved useful with its first call coming
in November, treating 3 patients for exposure after
their boat capsized in the bay. In December of 1957,
our first BABY was born on the rig en route to, what
was then known as, Monmouth Memorial Hospital in Long
Branch. In 1960 the squad put in service the first rescue
truck within the township, costing only $450.00. during
the rest of the sixties, the squad continued to grow
and along came the purchase of a new oldsmobile ambulance
in 1966. As early as 1966, calls increased to such great
numbers that it put a strain on available daytime crews.
the squad published articles in local newspapers that
would no longer be non-emergency transports for patients
before 6 p.m. in 1968, the expansion of our building
to 3 bays and larger meeting room had begun. Since the
formation of our squad, many dedicated residents of
our area have donated many years of service to our townships
residence and travelers. The squad has a Life Membership
roster of 46 life members with a minimum of 10 years
service, of which 5 of those years being active emt's.
Presently, membership is at 45 members with 24 EMTs
and the remainder of the members are certified as First
Responders. 12 members are underwater dive certified,
and many squad members are trained in boat handling
and dive tender. |
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