Madden marks 50 years of service on aid squad

Madden marks 50 years
of service on aid squad

PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEHOLD FIRST AID SQUAD Bill Madden reacts to a surprise party April 21, honoring his 50 years of active service with the Freehold First Aid Squad and Emergency Squad.

FREEHOLD — He’s a husband, father, hunter and retired general foreman the of Nestle plant.

But to many longtime borough residents, Bill Madden, to quote Councilman Michael DiBenedetto, "is the glue that holds the first aid squad together."

A surprise party held on April 21 honored Madden’s 50-year active membership in the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad. The veteran ex-captain and now trustee of the squad was greeted by family, friends and members of the volunteer organization.

County and municipal officials also came out to celebrate the occasion and to thank and commend Madden on his dedication to the squad and to the people it serves.

Monmouth County Freeholder Ted Narozanick told members of the audience the county was proclaiming April 21 as "William Madden Day." Narozanick presented Madden with a certificate of recognition from the county Board of Free-holders, honoring his dedication to his community.

"Bill Madden is always on call if someone needs a hand," Narozanick said.

DiBenedetto, who attended school with several of Madden’s children, said he came to the celebration as a friend and as a representative of the Borough Council.

"Bill is a great family man and a gentleman’s gentleman," DiBenedetto said. "His family has always come first but the first aid squad has always come in a close second."

DiBenedetto read a council resolution noting Madden’s personal achievements — the fact that he attended local schools, attended managerial courses at Brookdale Community College and at Rutgers University. He also mentioned Madden’s time in the U.S. Navy and Madden’s marriage of 50 years to his wife, Marilyn. The couple has six children and 12 grandchildren.

DiBenedetto also made mention of the fact that Madden’s first baby "delivery" call was his own daughter. This fact received a wonderful response from the crowd, most of whom already knew the story of the delivery of Madden’s daughter, Jan.

The year was 1959 and Madden had just become captain of the first aid squad. His initiation was quite obviously the most memorable first aid call he’d ever have.

Madden said he and Marilyn were on their way to the hospital in Long Branch, but they never made it. Baby Jan was delivered at 7 a.m. in the front seat of the couple’s station wagon in front of a motor vehicle inspection station in Eatontown.

Freehold Township Mayor Gene Golub told the audience of well-wishers that Madden’s volunteer career on the first aid squad "boggles the mind."

"Bill is truly a remarkable volunteer. It is a rare gentleman who can dedicate himself to this type of work for such a length of time," Golub said.

Squad President Jim McAllister presented a plaque to Madden on behalf of the squad, thanking him for his years of service and dedication.

Phil DeAngelis, who joined the first aid squad in 1952, has fond memories of working with Madden on the squad. He said he was pleased to be at the celebration and commented on Madden’s ability to stay active all these years.

"We all retired but Bill stuck with it," DeAngelis said.

Jim Sweetman, an active member of the squad for more than 30 years, said Madden always "kept his head on." He said Madden would "sit back and listen, and then, when the smoke cleared, he’d come up with a solution to whatever the problem was."

Marilyn Madden recalled that being a member of the first aid squad in the early days was a much more social event than it is now.

"None of us had a lot of money. The meetings were events we all looked forward to," she said.

Although Marilyn is proud of her husband, she admitted that at times it was difficult when the children were young and Madden would be out on calls and she was left at home with the youngsters.

Madden still occasionally goes out on calls, though not as often as he once did. He spends much of his volunteer time "running" the details of the squad and raising funds for its continued maintenance. He described how the squad members used to raise funds.

"I can remember when we used to have what we called ‘tag nights’ in town. At that time Freehold was the hub of western Monmouth County, you know?" Madden said, smiling as he remembered. "We’d begin at 5 p.m. on a Friday and keep at it until Saturday morning. If we managed to raise $1,000, we knew that our summer fund-raiser would be a good one."

Madden said at that time if the squad members managed to collect between $8,000 and $9,000, they’d make it through another year.

He publicly thanked his wife for being so supportive of his volunteer work with the squad.

Madden said things have changed quite a bit in the area of training required to work as a volunteer first aid squad member. He remembers when he started, members were required to take a basic course in first aid. Over the years, the requirements grew in content and knowledge and now anyone wishing to become a member of the squad is required to be an emergency medical technician, (EMT). This course requires 100 hours of training and education in the medical field.

"We give everyone one year to become an EMT," Madden said. "There is a vast difference in the level of knowledge and skills members need today, but the more you know, the better it is for the patient."

Madden said the squad is noted for its "feel of family." He said it’s always been that way.

"When we were young, there were many older members, and they accepted all of us. You had a lot of socialization and a lot of fun. That’s what makes an organization like this work," he said. "You must have closeness to stay doing volunteer work."

Madden also said the squad needs more volunteers to help handle the more than 3,000 calls per year that come in.

McAllister said Madden always has the squad at heart and that he is his main source of contact between the Borough Council and the county.

"It seems like everyone knows the man," McAllister said.