Union
County, NJ – At its regular meeting this coming Thursday July 19, the Union
County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to vote on a proposal to develop
an additional shared services EMS (Emergency Medical Service) for the western
parts of Union County. The proposal has
been developed in collaboration with JFK Medical Center along with other
surrounding medical facilities.
“This new addition to our existing Countywide EMS
shared service, with the participation of JFK Medical Center, will help ensure
that County residents facing medical emergencies receive a timely response,”
said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.
The proposal would make an additional ambulance
available through the existing Countywide EMS shared service program. The
ambulance would be staffed around the clock by two emergency medical
technicians.
The ambulance would be stationed at the Plainfield
Rescue Squad building, where it would be available for emergency response in
western parts of Union County.
“Many municipalities have been straining to keep up
with increased EMS demands,” said Freeholder Linda Carter. “This will be an
important step forward for Union County.”
“This is an exemplary collaboration between Union
County, the City of Plainfield, and JFK Medical Center. It will provide much
needed relief to the western parts of the County,” said New Jersey State
Assemblyman Jerry Green, who represents the 22nd District, which
includes western parts of Union County.
The additional ambulance will dispatched through the
Union County Regional Dispatch Center, which currently handles EMS, fire,
and/or police calls for several municipalities, and for two paramedic units
operated by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway.
JFK Medical Center of Edison currently operate a Mobile Intensive Care Unit in Plainfield.
As part of the overall plan for improving timely access to emergency medical
care and transportation in western Union County, JFK will increase its presence
to supplement its Satellite Emergency Department and outpatient services at the
former Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. JFK EMS received the “Outstanding
Private EMS Agency” award from the NJ Department of Health in 2013.
“JFK is pleased to respond to the request for EMS
services in partnership with Union County, to improve the availability of
pre-hospital healthcare in Plainfield and the surrounding communities,” said
Ray Fredericks, President and Chief Executive Officer of JFK Health. “Together,
JFK and Union County will ensure that great emergency medical care starts from
the moment 911 is called.”
The Freeholder Board began Countywide EMS as a pilot
program in 2011, to help municipalities throughout the county to improve their
emergency services and keep up with growing demands on first responders while
facing budget constraints.
The pilot program consisted of one additional
ambulance, available for dispatch on a Countywide basis during peak demand
periods. Based on the success of the pilot, Countywide EMS was made a permanent
County service in 2012.
Countywide EMS has grown progressively through the
years. When it started, calls averaged 80 per month. In June 2014, the last
month for which statistics are available, there were 294 calls.
In 2013 Countywide EMS responded to just over 1,900
calls. So far this year there have been 1,384 calls.
