ALLENTOWN – The Borough Council has set conditions that, if agreed to and met by the Allentown First Aid Squad, will result in additional financial support from Allentown during 2018.
The first aid squad serves Allentown and Upper Freehold Township. The squad is served by paid employees who are on duty from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by volunteers who respond to calls from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
In recent months, squad administrators have said they are planning to institute a billing system through which they will seek to recover the cost of their services.
On Nov. 28, council members passed a resolution memorializing a new financial agreement with the first aid squad, contingent upon certain conditions.
According to the resolution, Allentown makes an annual contribution to the first aid squad “because it values the performance of these services by a volunteer emergency medical squad in our community.”
The resolution states that the council “is interested in increasing the annual contribution for 2018 to assist this organization in thriving in the future.”
Allentown is providing $29,000 to the first aid squad in 2017.
Allentown will increase its annual contribution to the first aid squad by $13,750 if the squad can provide full coverage of emergency medical services to the borough 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through Dec. 31, 2018, according to the resolution.
The additional $13,750 will be released to the squad if it can meet the following requirements:
• A written business plan that outlines any expected additional expenses and how those expenses will be met, along with a separate two-year analysis of prior call data and what could be generated in self-billing, increased fundraising initiatives, and volunteerism plan.
• Monthly progress reports given to the Allentown council starting Jan. 1, 2018
and continuing to Dec. 31, 2018. A representative of the squad will attend a council meeting to present the report and answer questions.
• The first aid squad will implement self-billing no later than May 1, 2018.
The council has asked for a written response from the first aid squad.
The resolution was passed by council President Wil Borkowski, Councilman Robert Strovinsky, Councilman Rob Schmitt, Councilwoman Johnna Stinemire and Councilman Thomas Fritts. Councilwoman Angela Anthony was absent.