Chatham Emergency Squad Installs Officers; Honors Mark Spinner Who Retires After 40 Years

Contributed by Craig Alperowitz, Chatham Emergency Squad

On Saturday, February 9, the new administration of elected officers was presented by the Chatham Emergency Squad at its annual Officer Installation Dinner held at the Wyndham Hotel in Florham Park. The evening was further highlighted by multiple standing ovations for long-term members of the Squad, each of whom have devoted years of service to helping the Chatham community.

Representing the administration side, the installed officers include Robin Hoppe (Communications VP, serving in her second term); Joanne Howden (Personnel VP); Abigail Maddi (Secretary). Jeff Stanton (Facilities VP), Evan Skinner (President), and Cathy Warbrick (Finance VP),

Representing the operations side, the installed officers include Steve Davenport (Captain), Mike Lemons (Operations Lieutenant) and Jim Martin (Equipment Lieutenant).

During the installation ceremonies, the Squad recognized several members for their continuous years of service to the Chatham Emergency Squad: Ken Sham, Marie Noel, Bryan McGookin and Lisbeth Bringgaard who have each served for 5 years; Missy Cotter and Dave Elliott who have each served for 10 years; Christine Grobert who has served for 20 years; Peter Herslow for serving for 35 years; and Mark Spinner who had served for 40 years before announcing his retirement from the Squad in December 2018.

Grobert, Herslow and Spinner received extended ovations and applause from a grateful audience. Capped by speeches and stories of their dedication to the Chathams, it proved to be an extremely moving evening with barely a dry eye in the house. Representatives from the Chatham Borough Council, Chatham Borough Fire Department, Chatham Borough Police Department, Chatham Township Committee, Chatham Township Police Department, Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, Florham Park Memorial First Aid Squad,

Green Village Volunteer Fire Department, Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, New Vernon First Aid Squad and New Vernon Fire Department were all in attendance at the annual celebration. In addition to being present, the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad responded to calls in Chatham overnight so that all Chatham Emergency Squad members could have the evening to celebrate.

“The evening was a true celebration of our members’ dedication and commitment to service,” said Evan Skinner, president of the Chatham Emergency Squad. “Every member in the room has devoted countless hours of their time and stopped what they were doing to help others in need. When you think about the combined number of years that Dave Elliott, Missy Cotter, Christine Grobert, Peter Herslow and Mark Spinner have devoted to the Squad – it far exceeds the 83 years we’ve been serving the Chathams and it was a perfect evening to stop, reflect and thank everyone for all they do for the Chatham community.”

In addition to the above individual achievements, 32 members of the Chatham Emergency Squad were recognized for earning 100 Length of Service Awards Points (LOSAP) which is a New Jersey State incentive program recognizing volunteers who actively serve their regular and weekend shifts, and positively contribute through additional volunteer hours.

The Chatham Emergency Squad is an all-volunteer organization funded almost exclusively by donations. CES never charges for its services. In 2018 they responded to over 1,200 emergency calls and provided free training in CPR to more than 400 residents, teachers, coaches and emergency personnel. To learn more, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.chathamemergencysquad.org.