First aid squad hoping to buy new ambulance

Public referendum scheduled for Oct. 19

BY ANDREW MARTINS
Staff Writer

PLUMSTED — For the first time in 73 years, the New Egypt First Aid and Emergency Squad is appealing to the public for specific assistance to upgrade its equipment, as rising costs and aging equipment begin to hamper the squad.

“The first aid squad has always bought its own ambulances and equipment with general contributions [made to the squad] since its inception in 1938,” EMS chief Dave Rogers said. “With funding being at an all-time low and call volumes at an alltime high, we can’t afford to buy it on our own.”

The first aid squad is not receiving financial support from the municipality this year, and donations from the public are down, he said.

According to Rogers, the number of calls the squad receives has gone up 63 percent in the last decade. In that same time, funding has dropped by almost 75 percent, he said.

About 1,500 calls are answered by the squad each year and about 40,000 miles are traveled, according to a press release. When funding was more readily available, the squad was able to replace its vehicles every 10 years.

The oldest vehicle, a 2000 Ford E350 Type III ambulance, is nearly 12 years old – making it two years overdue for replacement, according to the press release.

“We noticed two years ago that we needed to purchase a new [ambulance], but unfortunately we are still paying the loan on the last one,” Rogers said. “We’ve been responding to a lot more calls now and traveling a lot more miles.”

The first aid squad representative said owning that older vehicle is leading to higher maintenance costs, plus it has an expired warranty. The squad said a new vehicle would have updated safety features.

On Oct. 3 the first aid squad will host a public meeting at its headquarters on Brynmore Road to tell the community why it needs a new ambulance. The first aid squad is working on an agreement with the Plumsted Township Board of Fire Commissioners for financial backing.

“There is financial hardship everywhere and we understand that. We are finding ourselves behind the eight ball,” Rogers said. “We have depleted our savings and surplus just trying to survive over the last few years.”

A new ambulance can cost between $120,000 and $170,000, depending on the vehicle’s body type and features.

A special election has been scheduled for Oct. 19. The referendum question asks residents if they will “allow the Plumsted Township Board of Fire Commissioners Fire District No. 1 to purchase an ambulance not to exceed the amount of $200,000.”

If the question is approved, the ambulance will be obtained through a joint purchase agreement between the first aid squad and Fire District No. 1, according to the information provided.

The squad is also looking to upgrade its communications equipment, which Rogers said is overdue for an overhaul.

“The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department is where our communications are dispatched from. About 12 years ago, they upgraded the majority of their systems and moved to a more reliable communications system than what we have,” Rogers said. “Right now, we are having a lot of issues with safety and not being able to communicate.”