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Woodbridge council outlines township takeover of first‑aid services; officials say costs likely but public safety priority
Summary
Officials said the township has been operating first‑aid services for more than a year, hiring supervisors and EMTs and buying ambulances; council members warned some taxpayer support is likely even as billing and stipend savings were cited.
Woodbridge officials on Aug. 12 described the township's expanded operation of first‑aid/ambulance services, answering public questions about staffing, billing and the fiscal impact on taxpayers.
The mayor said the township has been operating first aid for more than a year, citing earlier takeovers of volunteer squads and recent hiring of two supervisors and eight emergency medical technicians. The township has purchased two ambulances and plans two additional purchases, including a third rig for Colonial, officials said.
Council members and members of the public asked whether first‑aid crews would be on the township payroll, who would be paid for event coverage and whether residents would receive large bills for ambulance transport. Officials said the township bills insurance companies for transports and does not generally balance‑bill residents, though non‑collection risk remains and some taxpayer support is expected to operate the service.
Mayor (unnamed) acknowledged the town may absorb some operating costs but said the public‑safety priority—police, fire and first aid—outweighs budget concerns. The mayor and council also said the township saved about $300,000 by no longer paying certain volunteer stipends.
Council did not adopt a specific new funding source at the meeting; officials said expected shortfalls will be addressed in the next budget cycle and that more details on revenue and expected operating deficits would be provided in forthcoming financial reports.
