Emergency responders cited by Jackson council

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON — Members of the Jackson First Aid Squad and employees of Quality Medical Transport are giving residents firstrate medical services, according to municipal officials.

Representatives of those organizations were recognized for the their efforts during the April 13 meeting of the Jackson Township Council.

“We enjoy honoring people who make Jackson a great place to live,” council President Mike Kafton said. “When you think of people who really give of themselves, one of the top names that comes to mind is the Jackson First Aid Squad, which has been an incredible asset for Jackson for so many years. It has done many wonderful things, like saving so many people’s lives.”

In addition to the first aid squad, Quality Medical Transport also provides emergency medical response in the community. Both groups were praised by Kafton, who said there has been a dramatic improvement in the performance of Jackson’s first responders in recent years, and particularly during the difficult winter of 2009-10.

“The first responders were there whenever we needed them, and we want to acknowledge their efforts on behalf of the citizens of Jackson,” said Kafton. “We are very pleased that so many of them are here tonight so we can personally thank them.”

Representing the Jackson Emergency Medical Services advisory board was Dennis Lafer.

“The EMS advisory board was created two years ago out of concern for poor response times as well as a failure to communicate well among the responders,” Lafer told the council and members of the public. “I am happy to report that tremendous improvements have been made in these areas.”

Lafer said the board’s primary concern was the response time of first responders to people who were having an emergency. He said the national standard for a response time is nine minutes.

“Prior to the creation of the EMS advisory board, the daytime response that met the standard was only 55 percent of the time and now it is 95 percent of the time,” he reported. “That is a 75 percent improvement.”

Lafer said the improvement can be attributed to the excellent work of Quality Medical Transport, which responds to calls in Jackson during the day.

He noted that the evening response time by the Jackson First Aid Squad has improved by more than 20 percent.

“These improvements were accompanied by instituting regularly scheduled meetings where first responders get together and discuss operational issues and address how to improve services to Jackson,” said Lafer.

Members of the EMS advisory board include Rich Despins, Cathy Patrick and township liaisons Councilman Ken Bressi and Councilwoman Ann Updegrave, as well as Councilwoman Bobbie Rivere, who was the liaison last year.

Lafer said Councilman Scott Martin has been a source of support and has offered his assistance as problems arose. He noted the police department’s representation by John Convery, and the fire department’s representation by Ken Byrnes and Mark Reynalds.

He said Mayor Mike Reina has also been supportive of the EMS advisory board. Improvements have been made in reducing the amount of time it takes to repair a vehicle when necessary and in developing a plan to replace vehicles, Lafer said.

He said the mayor and council have established a fund to replace vehicles.

“More has to be done to protect and support our residents, but a lot has been accomplished due to your interest,” Lafer told the members of the governing body.

Jackson First Aid Squad members who received certificates at the meeting were Capt. Al Couceiro, John Burrows, Debbie Amato, Ivan Kavoleff, Keith Massey Jr., Margaret Murphy, John Paluchowski, Mary Beth Reed and Matthew Scatigna.

Employees of Quality Medical Transport who received certificates were Sal Murante Sr., Elise Murante, Robert Murante, Kevin Holly, Larry Sears, Sharon Creter, Dan Conti, Brian Gunnigle, C.J. Weinberger, Laura Alicia, Ray Tremer III, Marc Castillo, Vern Spoon, Jesse Languth, Brian Schwarze, Tara Mastriano, Ashley Weisbrot, John Filardo, Elmo Kandil and Dan Jensen.