Mission Statement
Title: This organization is known as Central Jersey Technical Rescue, Incorporated. Purpose: The purpose of organizing this non-profit, volunteer team is to perform search and rescue (SAR) and evacuation of victims from hazardous terrain / situations. Scope: At this time, the area of response of CJTR is concentrated to Union, Somerset, Middlesex, and Morris Counties and the immediate surrounding areas. But we are willing to travel anywhere there is a justified and reasonable need and request for the team's response. History: The concept for this team was conceived approximately ten years ago by the current Chief, Eric H. Martin. He saw the need for a rescue team that could handle the unordinary rescue. In October, 1992, Eric brought this idea to a few close professional associates in the rescue community. Four of these rescuers accepted his challenge of creating a regionalized technical rescue team for the surrounding areas of Plainfield. In July, 1993, we became incorporated in the State of New Jersey as a non-profit organization. In November, 1993, we received tax exempt status from the State of New Jersey. We are an IRS 501(c)(3) exempt organization. On March 13, 1994, we began to be dispatched by Cencom, the regional paramedic dispatch and 911 center based at Overlook Hospital. A separate document is currently available detailing criteria and procedure for the team's response. Current: There are ten active members of the team. New applications are being reviewed. Members medical qualifications range from CPR/First Aid to Registered Nurse. Members have training in the following specialized areas of rescue: High and Steep Angle Rope Rescue, Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Industrial Rescue, and both Urban and Wilderness Search and Rescue. We are equipped and able to respond to any type of rescue that requires ropes (i.e.: vertical incidents, slope evacuations, and water incidents.) We also have the knowledge and resources to respond to urban and wilderness search and rescue (SAR) missions. 2001 - Members have had additional training and certification in Ground SAR by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 2002 - Team Leaders have been certified in Managing Search Operations by DCNR - PA. 2002 - CJTR has joined Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council 2002 - Six members have been certified by NASAR at SARTECH III level, and also Field Team Member by DCNR - PA. Future: Objectives for the year 2002 include: 1) Making area emergency response agencies aware of the team and our capabilities through inservices, demonstrations, and public relations. 2) Continue with training and recruitment so we can increase our capabilities and availability. 3) Fundraising: costs are growing at such a rate that soon we will be unable to continue without outside donations, grants, etc. 4) Successfully complete our probationary requirements for Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council Active membership is projected to reach twelve active members by September 2002. Training is a continuous process, both in house and from outside programs. We are a part of the Search and Rescue Council of NJ's initiative to bring SAR in to assist in local missing persons incidents. Affiliations: We are currently members of the Search and Rescue Council of New Jersey (founding member), Second District of the New Jersey State First Aid Council, National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council, and International Rescue and Emergency Care Association (IRECA). Some of our other affiliations are: Union County OEM, Somerset County OEM, Ropes That Rescue, Ltd., Over The Edge, Inc., Montgomery County (PA) Fire Academy, North Jersey MICU Consortium, Animal Planet and American Humane Association.
