Belmar First Aid

This stone monument and plaque memorialize the historic Belmar First Aid Squad building, which stood for nearly 90 years at the corner of 8th Avenue and D Street. The Belmar First Aid Squad was believed to be the oldest independent volunteer squad in the United States. It got its start in 1927 through the efforts of the late Daniel Traverso, a Belmar doctor who served as the Squad’s physician until his death. The year after the doctor started the squad, another Belmar resident, Frank Mihlon Sr., authorized the purchase of an ambulance at his own expense. It was the first ambulance to be owned by a first aid squad along the Jersey Shore. Mr. Mihlon also donated the grounds and building for the old headquarters. In 1936, Mr. Mihlon’s son, Frank Jr., unveiled this bronze plaque, honoring the squad’s founder, Dr. Traverso. By the way, when Frank Jr. was just 13, he gave up his Christmas gifts so the money could go into that first ambulance fund. Today, the First Aid Squad answers an average 1,400 to 1,500 calls for service a year, with the majority during the summer months. In fact, members of the squad are stationed on-site at our beachfront during the summer season, which welcomes up to 20,000 visitors on a nice weekend.