In looking back recently at the Fair Haven Fire Department’s honoring of the iconic Dr. John Movelle at its annual Installation Dinner in 2001, many remembered how the good hometown doctor made house calls without a flinch.

Well, in those emergency situations when a visit to the hospital is imminent and life-and-death situations are looming, the Fair Haven First Aid Squad has been there and still is. The squad has been in existence since March 25, 1930, in fact, according to Fair Haven Fire Department history.

What many may not know, though, is that while all the First Aid Squad line officers are now women — Kim Ambrose (captain), Amanda Lynn (first lieutenant) and Katy Frissora (second lieutenant) — there was a time when there were no women on the squad.

Then there was Janine Haney. She was the first — the first woman on the squad and wife of former captain, John Haney. That was in the 1980s. Both are now deceased. Haney wasn’t the first line officer, though.

That was Raquel Falotico, who is still on the squad and an active longtime member of the fire company’s auxiliary. Falotico became the first line officer when she was sworn in as captain in 1988 and again in 1989.

Then there was Sue Bennett, who became captain of the squad in 1991. Bennett passed away in 2008, a 50-year Ladies Auxiliary member and 25-year First Aid Squad member. She graduated from RFH.

Following Bennett, Brenda Jacobsen was captain in 1999, Katy Frissora in 2010 and Trudy Wojciehowski in 2013 and now Kim  Ambrose (2016).

We’ll get to the guys next. In the meantime, in keeping with the motif of honoring those volunteers who are there in an emergency to do everything from holding a hand to saving a life, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day pay homage to the pioneering women of the Fair Haven First Aid Squad.

There are roughly 30 first aid squad members. The squad went from transporting with what was referred to as an old “children’s hearse” in 1930 that was purchased for $800  to its present two ambulances, first responder unit and boats.

Recognize these ladies? Share your memories of them with us. Have you thanked a first aider today?

— Elaine Van Develde