By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Capital Health will have a paramedic unit stationed in Princeton starting later this year, in a move that local first responders said Thursday would greatly reduce response times in emergencies.
The two-member unit will be located at the Hook and Ladder Firehouse, off Harrison Street, perhaps as soon as early December, said municipal emergency management director Robert Gregory by phone. The facility does not need any upgrades to accommodate the paramedics, and is equipped with bathrooms, a kitchen and a bay to park the response vehicle.
The move brings a Capital Health paramedic unit back into town, after one left around a dozen years ago from University Medical Center — then still in Princeton — to be more centrally located to its call volume.
“I think it’s huge for the community to have advanced life support back in town,” said Frank Setnicky, director of operations for the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, in a phone interview.
There are five paramedic units responsible for covering Mercer County, all run through Capital Health. PFARS President Mark Freda said having a unit based in Princeton will represent “a huge uptick in what can be potentially provided” now that paramedics will be in town more often.
Paramedics can provide life-saving treatment in emergencies, essentially an extension of an emergency room, that includes starting IVs and even providing medication, Mr. Gregory said.
He said he felt the unit’s presence would be “great” for Princeton, and noted that, in the past, paramedics would have to travel from across Route 1 or Trenton to get to town. The unit would provide coverage townwide, as well as respond to emergencies in the area.
The town, PFARS and Capital Health worked to bring the arrangement about.
