Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The Hopatcong Ambulance Squad is not funded by tax dollars.  In order to  maintain our ambulances, equipment,  pay for licenses, insurances,  per diem day crew, keep up certifications, keep the lights on and maintain our old building, etc.  we need to raise funds.  Just our workers compensation insurance alone is $24k+.  A new ambulance without equipment can cost $200k+.  Each volunteer we send to EMT class costs $1700.

In an emergency call  9-1-1  or your local emergency number immediately.   An emergency is a situation that requires immediate response from police, fire or EMS.  Examples include a fire, crime, vehicle accident (especially if someone is injured), shortness of breath, chest pain, unconscious person, severe allergic reaction, or uncontrolled bleeding.  If you are unsure whether the situation is a true emergency, officials reccomend calling 9-1-1 and letting the call taker determine whether you need emergency help.

When you call 9-1-1, keep calm and be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:

• The location of the emergency, including the street address
• The phone number you are calling from
• The nature of the emergency
• Details about the emergency, such as a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime,

Remember, the call-taker’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly. Be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Many 9-1-1 centers can tell you exactly what to do to help in an emergency until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking, needs first aid, or CPR. 

Do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to.

if you are at a residence be sure that someone turns on outside lights. If there are other people present send someone outside to help direct the emergency response teams to the person's location more quickly.  Emergency responders will be asking a lot of questions to be able to assess the situation upon their arrival. Having the person's name, address, birthday/age, existing medical conditions, any medications they may be taking, and what they were doing prior to the 911 call can save time and get the person the treatment they need quicker.