Local Oakcrest Senior and member of Boy Scouts of America Scouts BSA Program puts the final touches on last requirements to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
Breanna Ehrlich, 17, resident of Mays Landing, has been working diligently for the last several months planning, coordinating logistics, and executing an extensive project to assist one branch of local first responders by renovating both indoor and outdoor spaces for the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad at their main station located on Route 50 in Mays Landing. Breanna, a Life Scout with Scouts BSA Troop 452 chartered by Presbyterian Church of Mays Landing is striving to attain the rank of Eagle Scout; to become the 4th female of the troop, Atlantic County and the Southern NJ region to attain the prestigious rank since the troop’s inception in February 2019.
Breanna’s Eagle scout project was conceived from the need to help our first responders better prepare themselves for the stressful and exhausting environment that they function in on a daily basis. Additionally, her project provides a peaceful and restful area where these public servants can decompress and refresh after long shifts or difficult incidents. At the request of the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad Board of Trustees, Breanna worked with their representative; Captain Sean McCall, to develop the scope of the project and facilitate the work. The project was two-fold and both facets of the project were worked on and completed concurrently.
The members of the Rescue Squad were in need of a space to conduct training and hone their skills as well as a space dedicated to their physical well being. This was accomplished by renovating an old day use room and bunk space located on the second floor. The two rooms were stripped of old carpeting, lighting fixtures and furnishings and rehabilitated with fresh paint, updated lighting fixtures and new flooring and trim. This new space provides them with a brighter and more appealing area to further their skills and enjoy some self-care with a small fitness space. The second facet of the project provides a totally rebuilt outdoor picnic space where personnel can relax and refresh from long shifts and arduous incidents. The new space has fresh ground cover and boundary boards along with a new picnic table and several Adirondack style chairs for lounging between duty calls or enjoying a gathering of fellow first responders.
The objective of an Eagle Scout project is for the candidate to successfully exercise and fine tune the skills, particularly those of leadership, that they have learned and practiced throughout their tenure in the program. A major aspect of a project of this scope is fundraising. With a financial commitment from the Rescue Squad itself, along with generous donations of materials from 84 Lumber of Pleasantville and Atlantic Masonry Products of Egg Harbor Township, in addition to donations provided by The Home Depot and Lowes stores of Egg Harbor Township, Breanna was able to successfully complete her projects well within her budget. Through the planning and execution of her project, Breanna, along with 28 volunteers, logged a total of 365 hours over the span of approximately 2 months. Sixty of those hours were Breanna’s personal hours spent planning, documenting, organizing logistics of materials, volunteers and coordination of work with the Rescue Squad.
With the successful completion of her project, Breanna will submit her application for Eagle Scout Rank to the Jersey Shore Council and await scheduling of a Board of Review date, which is the final step in attaining the highest rank possible in the BSA. With the successful completion of a board of review, she will become the fourth female Eagle Scout of Troop 452 and also the fourth generation of Eagle scout in her family; following in her father, grandfather and great-grandfather’s footsteps.
