For nearly seven decades, the Martinsville Rescue Squad has been coming to the aid of residents in crisis.
Now, the 20-member squad is sending out its own 911 call to the community asking for help. Established in 1957, the nonprofit squad, which delivers its services for free, is in dire need of donations and of volunteers to do everything from driving ambulances to keeping the books and making out the schedules.
“There’s no payroll, and we all donate our time,” says Chief George Nowakowski, who joined the squad 11 years ago as a volunteer driver. “Right now, we need to replace one of our three ambulances.”
Nowakowski, a longtime Martinsville resident who has a full-time job as a software engineer, got interested in the squad when his mother was ill.
“I was taking her to doctors and the emergency room,” he says. “I felt useless because I couldn’t help her.”
But it wasn’t until the Martinsville Rescue Squad showed up at his church that he decided to sign on.
“They brought an ambulance and were asking for volunteers,” he says. “My three kids thought it would be cool if I did it. I’ve found that it’s nice to give back and offer some service to the community.”
He started out driving the ambulances, which required him to learn CPR.
“I was a little concerned because as a child I got queasy when I was around blood,” he says. “But I surprised myself because I learned to handle it well in person.”
Later, he spent a semester earning his EMT certification. Although the squad paid for the costly course, it was a challenge.
“I had three young kids and a full-time job,” he says. “It was an accelerated course—it only took three months—so it was really intense.”
For the last four years, Nowakowski has been the squad’s chief, the organization’s top position.
In addition to running the squad’s operations, Nowakowski works four 12-hour night shifts, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., every week.
“It’s not always busy every shift,” he says, adding that he stays at home until his pager sends him into action. “I live about two miles from the station.”
And then there are times that he immediately drives from one call to another, hardly able to catch his breath. Recently, he calmed a woman who was having a panic attack and hyperventilating. And he’s come to the aid of car accident victims.
“Part of what keeps me motivated is the fact that there’s somebody in need in a desperate situation,” he says. When I see the look of relief on people’s faces, that in itself is rewarding.”
And then there are the people who don’t make it.
“We can’t save everyone,” he says. “Statistically, if we’re performing CPR, it’s serious and the odds are against you. But at least we were there for them and tried to revive them.”
Through the years, generations of the same families have served as volunteers in various capacities, and some of the current members of the Martinsville Rescue Squad have been donating their time and expertise for decades.
John Mopper, a licensed psychotherapist and with his wife, licensed psychotherapist Michele Mopper, is the co-owner of Blueprint Mental Health in Somerville, joined in the summer of 2022.
He’s on duty every Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“I don’t have a ton of extra time on my hands, but I made time because I wanted to do something to give back to the community,” he says, adding that he has lived in Bridgewater for most of his life. “I’m the type of guy who likes to get out and help people.”
During his short tenure, he has dealt with every kind of emergency: from helping an elderly fall victim to trying to revive people and aiding those injured in car crashes.
“The squad is about local people caring about the community,” he says. “We arrive on the scene at what can be the worst day of someone’s life and we impact change in some positive way. There’s no reward better than that.”
Calling it an honor to be part of the squad, Mopper says that the work is “rewarding and can also be extremely exciting. You get a surge of adrenaline rushing to the call. The huge wins make you feel like you’re on top of the world.”
Like Nowakowski, Mopper started out driving ambulances, learned CPR, earned his EMT certification and has no intention of quitting.
Although Nowakowski recently turned 60, he has no plans to cut his shifts on the squad. In fact, when he does retire, he’s probably going to make it his full-time job.
“It’s rewarding,” he says. “I get direct feedback and I see the direct impact I have on people’s lives.”
To Volunteer or Donate:
The Martinsville Rescue Squad is seeking more volunteer ambulance drivers and first-aid assistants to respond to 911 calls. No medical experience is necessary; the squad provides free training. There also are a number of business administration positions available.
Volunteers are not paid, but they are eligible for a retirement plan and tuition reimbursement. In addition, certain township fees are waived.
The Martinsville Rescue Squad is financed solely by donations. The squad’s most urgent need is the replacement of an ambulance, a $300,000 expense. To apply as a volunteer or to make a tax-deductible donation, call 732-469-1505 or visit BridgewaterEMS.org.
“When I see the look of relief on people’s faces, that in itself is rewarding.”