Princeton Junction First Aid Squad
Overview
The Princeton Junction First Aid Squad was formed in the midst of World War II. It all began during a meeting of the First Aid Group of West Windsor Township at Dutch Neck in March, 1942. At the conference, a "Dr. Bangs," chairman of the Medical Corps and First Aid of West Windsor Township Defense Council, asked the three Civil Defense districts - Dutch Neck, Penns Neck, and Princeton Junction - to each establish a first aid station.
Princeton Junction's was placed in the cloak room of the fire house in Berrien City. Permission was obtained from the firemen, and a partition was erected. With aid from members of the community, the room was cleaned, painted, and equipped.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company lent the group $10.00 In addition, individual donations of money and equipment flowed in, alongside medical supplies, splints, and a stretcher - all supplied by the township's Defense Council.
The Princeton Junction First Aid Squad was formed in the midst of World War II. It all began during a meeting of the First Aid Group of West Windsor Township at Dutch Neck in March, 1942. At the conference, a "Dr. Bangs," chairman of the Medical Corps and First Aid of West Windsor Township Defense Council, asked the three Civil Defense districts - Dutch Neck, Penns Neck, and Princeton Junction - to each establish a first aid station.
Princeton Junction's was placed in the cloak room of the fire house in Berrien City. Permission was obtained from the firemen, and a partition was erected. With aid from members of the community, the room was cleaned, painted, and equipped.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company lent the group $10.00 In addition, individual donations of money and equipment flowed in, alongside medical supplies, splints, and a stretcher - all supplied by the township's Defense Council.
WWII scrap metal drive
The First Aid Squad of Princeton Junction was composed of members of the community who had passed the Red Cross First Aid course. Moreover, two trained nurses joined the group. This contingent's members were: Mrs. Irvine Parrish, R.N., Miss Flo Bathie, R.N., Mrs. R. Bell, Mrs. Frank Cawley, Mrs. Martin Caples, Mrs.W. Duthie, Mrs. C. Hullfish, Mrs. J. Janick, Mrs. W. P. Reynolds, Mrs. H. Schafer, and Ms. Ida Smith.
The station was equipped and organized in time for the first trial blackout in April of 1942. However, because more equipment was routinely needed, on June 27 of that year, the squad sponsored the raffling of a war bond. This money was placed in a bank account for future use.
Subsequently, the following officers were elected: Mrs. Henry Shafer as President, Mrs. Martin Caples as Secretary, and Miss Ida Smith as treasurer.
The squad would continue to serve the community until it was disbanded in 1945. West Windsor wouldn't be home to another EMS organization until 1972, with the formation of the Twin "W" First Aid Squad.
Below are excerpts from the minutes of the Princeton Junction Fist Aid Squad:
The station was equipped and organized in time for the first trial blackout in April of 1942. However, because more equipment was routinely needed, on June 27 of that year, the squad sponsored the raffling of a war bond. This money was placed in a bank account for future use.
Subsequently, the following officers were elected: Mrs. Henry Shafer as President, Mrs. Martin Caples as Secretary, and Miss Ida Smith as treasurer.
The squad would continue to serve the community until it was disbanded in 1945. West Windsor wouldn't be home to another EMS organization until 1972, with the formation of the Twin "W" First Aid Squad.
Below are excerpts from the minutes of the Princeton Junction Fist Aid Squad:
- April 27, 1942: First monthly meeting attended by all officers and 8 members. Future meetings to be monthly on the first Monday. Practice sessions were to take place on all other Mondays.
- September 19, 1942: "All officers and 3 members present. It was decided that equipment and supplies were to be used exclusively by the PJ First Aid Squad and not lent to others. Mr Martin Caples was selected to purchase all needed medical supplies.
- October 5, 1942: Back to 8 members present. Mr. Caples reporter that he had not been able to purchase the medical supplies. A check was given to Mr. Caples to purchase the supplies without waiting for the next business meeting. It was decided, after much discussion, that scrap was to be collected by the Squad for both the Squad and the WW Ambulance Fund - to be split 50/50.
- November 2, 1942: Officers and 13 members. Mr. Caples reported on the supplies for the First Aid Kit he had purchased. The ambulance squad uniforms were shown and orders taken for members to wear. The scrap drive raised $116.05 so far. The ambulance squad was given $50 of this fund."
- December 10, 1942: "Joint meeting of all West Windsor First Aiders held. Dr. Baker and Dr. Bangs resigned. Martin Caples was elected head of WW First Aid, as well as head of the PJ Group, with Mr. Shuls (Sheels?) second in command.
- January 4, 1943: Officers and 6 members. Sale of scrap - $152.55. Letter was to be written to the Princeton Junction Fire Company reimbursing them for use of heat and light in the firehouse.
- February 1943 - No meeting held due to bad weather.
- March 1, 1943: Letter from the Princeton Junction Fire Company stating that the Defense Council was paying for the head and light used by the First Aid Squad.
- May 1943: Both president and treasurer absent due to illness. Anna Toth was selected to buy various medical supplies for the first aid cabinet.
- May 3, 1943: Mr. Schuls presided due to illness of Mrs. Schafer, president. 4 members present. It was decided that flowers would be sent to Mrs. Schafer who was in the hospital. Mr. Schuls was asked to get in touch with the firemen to see if they would like to join the first aid group.
- June 7, 1943: Mr. Shuls in charge. Mrs. Schafer still ill. Meetings to be held only once a month on the first Monday.
- July 5, 1943: Mrs. Schafer Presided. Mr. Shuls talked about First Aid and Gas that was discussed at a meeting in Penns Neck. Ambulance was also discussed, as well as obtaining plates for the vehicle.
- September 13, 1943: Mrs. Pizzuoto was to purchase six folding patters for the Ptinceton Junction surgical dressing classes. It was decided that the PJ First Aid Squad would revert back to two meetings a month on the first and third Monday. Business meeting was then followed by questions on first aid, after which members practiced bandaging, splinting, and transportation.
- October 4, 1943: Mrs. Schafer ill again. Mr. Shuls ran the meeting. Mrs. Pizzuoto to purchase surgical dressings and folding patterns.
- The year 1944 is not in the HSWW's records.
- January 6, 1945: M. Schuls called meeting to order. All officers and 2 members were present. It was decided that the First Aid Room would continue to be located in the firehouse. Some donations received by the First Aid Squad were to be given to the First Company. Mrs. Pizzuoto was nominated to clean the First Aid room. Mr. Shuls suggested that the Penns Neck First Aid Squad join with the Princeton Junction group. This is where the HSWW's copy of the minutes end.
