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Council reviews delayed ambulance response in recent call, approves ambulance contribution and discusses county dispatch options
Summary
After an incident in which local ambulances were unavailable and an ALS unit reached the scene about 19 minutes after dispatch, the council approved a quarterly ambulance contribution (Resolution 25-368) and directed staff to pursue proposals for county or regional dispatch and look into LEAP grant opportunities for shared services.
Mayor (Speaker 8) summarized a recent emergency medical incident in which local and mutual-aid ambulances were out of service and township dispatch contacted the Northern New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Communication Center (MYCOM). Police arrived within about three minutes and administered oxygen; an ALS ambulance reached the scene about 19 minutes after the initial dispatch, though the patient became responsive after police treatment.
The mayor said he had discussed ALS/BLS response-time efforts with Bergen County Executive Tedesco and noted county-level efforts to improve metrics. Council members described the episode as a "perfect storm" of resource shortfalls and discussed options including mutual aid, volunteer ambulance corps, shared services and potential county-level funding; one council member underscored public willingness to accept a small tax increase to secure better EMS coverage.
Council suspended the agenda to introduce and adopt Resolution 25-368 to pay the ambulance contribution (council noted the township pays on a quarterly basis). The motion carried on roll call.
Separately, Councilmember (Speaker 3) reintroduced county dispatch/shared-dispatch options, asking for a cost-and-service proposal. Administration and police said they would refresh a previously prepared outsourcing checklist, reach out to the county and other dispatch providers (including Northwest Bergen), and include fire and ambulance perspectives. Councilmember Casio also highlighted LEAP grant programs and other state grant opportunities that could help fund feasibility or implementation of shared services for dispatch, ambulance or other joint efforts; he said he would circulate grant forms to council.
