Sixty Years Of Service: Madison EMT Receives Mayor's Hero Award

MADISON, NJ—The day Jack Luts was sworn in as a member of the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the big news was that presidential candidate John F. Kennedy asked Lyndon Johnson to be his running mate. It was July 14, 1960, and Luts was an 18-year-old volunteer.

In recognition of his sixty years of service, Luts was presented with the Mayor's Hero Award by Madison Mayor Bob Conley at the borough committee meeting on August 10.

"I tried to estimate home many calls Jack has responded to," said Conley, "how many hours put in for Madison. Let’s just say it’s a very big number." Some in Madison have estimated that he's responded to 50,000 calls during his tenure, but Luts downplayed that number.

"I think it's more like 5,000 calls," he said.

When a friend joined the Ambulance Corps in 1960 and more help was needed, Luts volunteered, never expecting to be there 60 years later. During his six decades of service, Luts has held five positions with the Madison Ambulance Corps. Currently the vice president, he still works one shift on the ambulance per week, responding to medical emergencies.

"A lot of it had to do with luck," Luts said, "you have to live in the same place for that long, have your health, have an understanding [full time] job. A lot had to fall into place for me to do this for so long."

Ironically, the same issue that led him to sign up sixty years ago plagues the Ambulance Corps today.

"We need people," Luts said, "this is a dangerous time for an EMT, and we need volunteers. We provide the training, the certifications, the equipment. We just need people who want to help."

Luts said there isn't a particular call that stands out for him, but 9/11 was something he'll never forget. He also said he's just re-certified as an EMT and plans to continue his service to the Borough of Madison.

"The people I work with are the most courageous people," said Luts. "I'm privileged to work with them and I don't plan on slowing down. Helping people is a wonderful thing."