Committee won’t review deal with HEMSCorp

Suggestion to review expenditure turned down

By:Alec Moore
   A proposal to look into hiring a private ambulance company to replace Hillsborough Emergency Medical Services Corporation (HEMSCorp), was not well received by the Township Committee at Tuesday night’s meeting.
   Fire Commissioner Ron Campbell read to the committee his guest column published in the May 15 edition of the Hillsborough Beacon in which he suggested the change could save the township more than $112,000 per year and possibly reduce, or eliminate, transportation bills charged to senior citizens by HEMSCorp.
   "I’m just saying we should look into this," said Mr. Campbell after reading the column, emphasizing that he was speaking for himself and not on behalf of the fire commissioners or any other organization.
   The committee, however, ultimately said that no amount of money saved through the hiring of an outside ambulance company is worth cutting corners when it comes to providing emergency medical services.
   "This is something we can’t put a price tag on and it’s something we don’t want to take chances with," said Mayor Tony Gwiazdowski. "No amount of money is worth possibly jeopardizing the health and safety of our residents."
   "There’s no substitute for quality healthcare," said Deputy Mayor Steven Sireci.
   Committeeman Joe Tricarico said contracting a less expensive private ambulance service to cover Hillsborough during the day, would most likely result in EMS service that is not on par with HEMSCorp’s level of service.
   "If there’s an emergency at my home, then I’m going to want someone qualified to respond. I want someone who’s going to be able to do something to save my life, not someone who’s going to just cart me up and take me to the hospital," said Dr. Tricarico.
   Following the meeting, HEMSCorp Chief David Gwin stated that the training and quality of care provided by HEMSCorp is superior to that of any local, private ambulance company.
   "No private (ambulance) service offers the level of training that we do," said Chief Gwin. "Emergency services are supposed to work together, but Commissioner Campbell is driving a wedge between the fire companies and EMS. This is just one more thing in a long line of Commissioner Campbell’s harassment."
   Chief Gwin pointed out that 10 members of HEMSCorp’s paid day staff have certification and training above the basic level of EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). The full-time day crew includes 10 paramedics, two of whom are also registered nurses.
   Chief Gwin stated that the pay rate for the day crew ranges from $10 per hour to $18.75 per hour.
   While the members of Hillsborough Rescue Squad, who provide emergency medical services between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., are volunteer, HEMSCorp was established to provide service during daytime hours when volunteers are often not available.