MILLSTONE – Officials in Millstone Township are establishing the fees the municipality will be charged by the Millstone Township Fire District as part of a shared services agreement that implemented a municipally funded emergency medical services (EMS) operation.
On Oct. 21, Township Committee members introduced an ordinance that will, if adopted, create a new section in Millstone Township’s fire district ordinance. The new section will authorize the fire district’s fees for the municipally funded EMS operation that was established earlier this year.
According to the proposed ordinance, the fees are $1,500 for an extrication; $900 for load fees; $875 for pronouncement fees; $300 for extra attendants; $150 for refusal of medical assistance; $150 for epinephrine; $150 for naloxone; $95 for continuous positive airway pressure devices; $65 for oxygen; $45 for cervical collars; and $18 per mile for mileage.
A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for Nov. 4. Committee members may adopt the ordinance that evening.
The introduction of the ordinance follows the establishment of a shared services agreement between the township and the Millstone Township Board of Fire Commissioners for the municipally funded EMS operation.
The fire commissioners, who are elected by members of the public, are in charge of the fire district, which operates the Millstone Township Fire Company.
In June, municipal officials revealed their plan for an EMS operation that would be funded by the municipality. They said $260,000 had been allocated for the service in the 2020 budget.
Emergency medical services were previously provided in the township by a volunteer first aid squad and later by an outside provider.
Municipal officials said they needed a plan to provide Millstone Township’s 10,400 residents with timely and affordable emergency medical services.
They said the advantages of the agreement with the Board of Fire Commissioners will be direct management of the operation; the ability to better control and forecast costs; timeliness and consistency in service; stability; increased community involvement; and controlling costs for taxpayers.