MANVILLE: Rescue squad clears the bar on standards

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
Manville First and Rescue Squad reached an important milestone on Sept. 12. Its members received the provider’s license for which they have been working months to obtain.
"To achieve the state licensure means a great deal to myself, as well as the squad’s membership," said Chief David Kohler. "Any time a goal is achieved, there is a sense of accomplishment. In this case, though, our agency believes that by obtaining this licensure we can improve upon the medical needs of our community, ultimately being in a better position to respond to the medical needs of our community."
The process started in January, said Chief Kohler.
"Throughout the months there were many strategic meetings, policies written, modifications to our vehicles and to our station," he said. "Our ambulances were inspected, our policies were approved, and our personnel had to be identified to the state of New Jersey."
The chief said the ambulances were driven to Trenton, where the state Department of Health conducted a rigorous inspection of the vehicles, "which they passed with flying colors," Mr. Kohler said.
The license means the Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad meets and exceeds the state’s minimum standards for both policies and ambulance preparedness.
"This places the Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad in a category alongside well-established agencies, such as Hillsborough EMS and Robert Wood Johnson’s EMS division," the chief said. "This adds to the Manville squad’s list of growing accomplishments, which include having a staffed station and an arrival time of less than 5 minutes from dispatch."
With this state license, the squad hopes to improve upon the standard of care within Manville Borough, he said.
The squad’s ambulances can be inspected at any time by state authorities, but every few years a portion of the inspection will be renewed to ensure that the squad is still meeting the standards.