Amid a parkwide first responder shortage, meet the Long Lake teen pioneering a new program
By Arietta Hallock
In the small Adirondack town of Long Lake, 17-year-old Brooke Furlong has big ambitions. Between schoolwork, college applications, waitressing, three varsity sports and volunteering at the local Lions Club, it’s hard to imagine a corner of community involvement she has yet to cover.
However, Furlong recently found another. In September, she made history as the first-ever junior member of the Long Lake Rescue Squad.
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The squad launched its fledgling Junior Squad Member volunteer program in late May with the help of her father, Kevin Furlong. It aims to improve volunteer numbers, educate local teens, and secure the next generation of first responders in a rural population that is growing older. Furlong hopes to be the first junior member of many.
“I can’t stress enough for other young people to get involved in the community in the Adirondacks, because it’s just there’s so few people up here. Everybody’s stronger together.”
Brooke Furlong
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An all-hands-on-deck approach
Long Lake has a small, aging population typical of Adirondack towns. According to the latest census data, the median age of its residents is nearly 20 years older than the statewide average.
This results in dwindling ranks of school-aged children and growing numbers of elders in need of emergency medical care, combined with a spike in calls during busy summer months. With many first-response teams composed primarily of retirees, maintaining volunteer help in the long term has become a top priority.
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It was that growing need that Kevin Furlong first responded to upon moving to the area with his family in 2022, after retiring from a long career in New Hampshire law enforcement. He acquired his Advanced EMT certification and got to work as a member of the rescue squad, a force composed of a mix of volunteers and paid employees. He is currently working towards becoming a paramedic.
“When we moved to Long Lake, we tried to identify– what is the need of the community that we can help and contribute to?” Kevin Furlong said, “And one of those desperate needs was the help for emergency medical services.”
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Seeing his participation, his daughter, who showed interest in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, was eager to follow in his footsteps.
“If they’re always needing more help, I would do anything I could to help. Just to help my dad, help the community, because the community is very, very closely knit, and I love it,” Brooke Furlong said.
Immersive training
“When we developed the program, we didn’t want it to be a junior program where they just come and wash ambulances,” Kevin Furlong said.
In her first fall as a first responder, Furlong went on multiple ambulance calls and gained certification in CPR/AED and first aid. She’s currently taking certified nurse’s assistant classes. In the spring, she plans to swap her spot as softball team captain for a seat at the table in basic EMT training.
“She’s always asking, can I come and do this? Can I participate in this?” Kevin Furlong said. “I’m proud that she volunteers so much time, and just really wants to be a productive member of society.”
One of only two graduating seniors at Long Lake Central School, his daughter intends to further her education by attending college for a bachelor’s in nursing next fall. Furlong said she’d be happy to return from school to find medical work in the Adirondacks and continue the family tradition of community service.
“I can definitely see myself coming back here,” Furlong said, “I love this area, and I’m very, very lucky to contribute.”
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Great story!
Seeing young people so involved definitely gives us hope for the future!
Great to hear that young people are taking up the mantle of service to the community. We have been assisted by Long Lake Ambulance service after a hiking incident & know how important it is. We appreciate & fully support them. Also the Tupper Lake volunteers where we have a summer residence.
Hi Brooke Furlong, my name is Arthur Stanton. I graduated LL school in1952 the NYS Ranger school in 54. I am almost 91years old which makes me one of the oldest original persons left. I’m living with my son in Indian lake and have a son, Kent Stanton in Long lake. What you are doing is GREAT and I wish more would do the same. Kent has a web site”Hike Long Lake. Also, I would be happy to talk to you.
My hat off to this young lady. Need more like her.
My village of about 3k, like many others, suffer from fire dept. volunteers and now depend on auto-mutual aid with neighbors, in the same situation.
So glad her goal is to continue in the medical field and return to her roots.
Charley Shields
Past Chief, Maybrook FD