First Aid Squad

[anon-09no]

The reality is that while we have to respect the history, dedication, and tradition of the volunteers there have been numerous incidents where it has taken far to long for ambulance to show up. It is time for the township to step in and ensure that there is a 24-7 365 EMS Ambulance in service,staffed with appropriately trained personnel, waiting to respond all the time. The existing volunteers should be included into the mix - but the township commitee must do the right thing and take appropriate measures to ensure that all the residents are being served with the best standard of EMS care. Additionally with all of the concern that we have about traffic safety we must recognize that EMS plays a very important role. When all else has failed and the unthinkable has happened, someone(a child?) is injured, the township has a moral and ethical obligation to ensure there is a staffed professional EMS Ambulance with personnel directly accountable to the township are in service responding immediately.

The township commitee must listen to the concerns of residents, some of whom are experts.(physicians, paramedics, and healthcare providers). Others have been directly effected by having to wait far too long for an ambulance to show up when a loved one or they themselves is suffering or even potentially dying.

It is no longer acceptable for the township committee to ignore this problem.

[anon-p2n8]

[anon-09no]

The last post is a weak(and silly)misdirect. When a resident calls 911 because their child, parent, etc is critically ill(dying) it reasonable to expect that an ambulance will respond in a timely manner with trained professionals. To suggest otherwise is just idiotic.

[anon-p2n8]

[anon-s316]

[anon-p2n8]

[anon-p2n8]

Again, I don’t know the details of the baby, but here is what I do know.

911 is a triage. The dispatcher takes the information and then relays it to the proper organization (police, fire, first aid squad) In the heart attack case, the dispatcher sent the info to the wrong town, East Windsor. That’s why it took so long.

But let’s say for arguments sake that the dispatcher contacted Cranbury and that Cranbury’s squad was tied up at another incident (it happens all the time in South Brunswick, and they have half a dozen rescue squads.) It then is up to the dispatcher to contact the next available squad. Just having a paid squad DOES NOT guarantee that an ambulance will be available at every minute and that’s supposed to be what 911 exists for.

Even if we had a paid squad there is no guarantee. If a box falls on a warehouse worker across town and someone has a heart attack in Shadow Oaks, the dispatchers must make the correct call as to which incident to send Cranbury to and which to send out to a squad in a neighboring area. Location, nature of the injury, etc.

[anon-p2n8]

Was anybody else at the parade? I counted about 12 ambulances from within a 10 mile radius. Why is everyone acting like one more is all that stands between you, your children and your parents and certain death.

[anon-2163]

This is becoming more and more typical of Cranbury.

So this person had an incident 7-8 months ago. Was told at the time that the delay was due to the 9-1-1 Dispatcher. Waits until June and then complains anyway, not only about the response time which was already explained to them, but also stands before the committee and makes the volunteers sound like a bunch of buffoons that can't drive, operate equipment or find the hospital.

That's their thanks for showing up and trying to help save your mother's life?

[anon-0n59]

Poor fire chief takes to this board several times a year practically begging for volunteers. I’m sure the first aid squad is the same. Never any shortage of complainers though.

Maybe Cranbury could do with a full time squad. But the way people treat those that do volunteer their time for the peace and safety of all residents is disgraceful.

[anon-s316]

Times have changed.

Many people volunteer their time at other organizations and causes.
People take care of children and maybe their elderly parents.
People commute more, work more hours.
Teenagers work their asses off to get into College. Nowadays a college degree is a minimum standard to be attained to get anywhere in Life it seems. Soon everyone will need to have a masters.It's not like the old anymore when a HS diploma got you into a job.

I think it is absolutely wrong to blame anyone that volunteers who donate their time. We should all appreciate their service.

I also think that shaming people into volunteering will not work and is wrong.

We need to come to grips with the fact that volunteering is down and will likely continue to be down for EMS and Firefighters. And if the services feel they are stretched and can't do it anymore, then alternatives need to be explored.

The TC meeting Monday was to listen to issues and work together to find solutions. Denying issues exist will not help.

[anon-2163]

[anon-0n59]

[anon-np17]

The numbers and facts are there to support a full time Township ems program. I’m guessing they will have a special session to show the full picture. Because this isn’t about one or two incidents that happened months ago.

[anon-0n59]

[anon-0n59]

Though I suppose numbers and facts do not lead to packer meeting rooms and the opportunity for political grandstanding, so I guess I do understand.