Squad names new officers

JACKSON - The Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad recently installed a new panel of officers for 2007 at a ceremony attended by Mayor Mark Seda and several Township Council members, as well as the squad's own life members and current members, representatives of local fire companies and neighboring first aid squads.

The new officers are John Burrows, president; Sharon Creter, vice president; Nicole Schastny, recording secretary; Bob Landle, treasurer; Mike Luna, cor-responding secretary; Alfred Couceiro, saptain; Gary Nokes, first lieutenant; Adam Poppe, second lieutenant; Anthony Marano, sergeant; Andrew Taylor, second sergeant; John Poppe, corporal; and Curt Loukides, engineer.

According to a press release, during 2006 the squad responded to more than 1,700 calls and volunteered more than 23,000 hours.

At the ceremony, recognition was given to six squad members who responded to more than 200 calls; 21 members who responded to more than 100 calls; and First Lt. Gary Nokes, who responded to 336 calls in 2006.

The squad's average response time for this task was nine minutes for November and December, well under the national average, according to the press release.

The Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad was formed in 1953. It delivers free emergency medical service to approximately 53,000 residents across a 100-square-mile area. The squad provides service nights and weekends.

According to the press release, MONOC, a paid, private EMS provider, covers first aid needs during the day. The Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad is in service every night, year-round.