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Bound Brook police and EMS report staffing increases, EMS revenue and improved response times
Summary
The police chief told the council the department hired about 15 officers and now has 28 on staff; EMS reported roughly $322,687 in year-to-date revenue and average arrival times below state averages, and OEM outlined mutual-aid and sheltering goals for 2025.
Bound Brook’s public safety leaders reported staffing and performance updates at the Dec. 10 meeting.
The police chief (presenting under departmental reports) said retirements over the past two years were followed by about 15 new hires, bringing the department to roughly 28 officers, with two new hires currently in field training. The chief described equipment and facility upgrades (new in-service AlcoTest unit, vehicle fleet management contract, holding-cell upgrades to meet state DOC requirements) and noted continued emphasis on community policing events.
The EMS director said the service’s year-to-date revenue stands at about $322,687.48 (not accounting for December collections) and provided call-volume data: the service had been dispatched 1,671 times in 2024 to date, and since going in-service in July 2023 the EMS unit has answered 2,114 calls. He reported operational metrics including an average time-to-go-in-service of about 2.4 minutes and an average arrival time of 7.7 minutes compared with national and state averages he cited.
OEM and EMS leaders described goals for 2025 that include equipping ambulances with auto-loaders and automated CPR devices, strengthening rescue-task-force coordination with police and fire, pursuing grants and solidifying mutual-aid reciprocity with neighboring jurisdictions. OEM also described a plan to sustain a municipal sheltering capability for 72 hours and continue hazard-mitigation planning work with Somerset County partners.
Council members asked about training, inspection fees (including lead assessment requirements), staffing capacity and whether neighboring towns reciprocate mutual aid; officials said some partners are already cooperative but the borough will continue to seek stronger reciprocal arrangements.
No formal personnel actions were taken at the meeting; officials said they will work the staffing and capital needs into next year’s budget and grant-seeking plans.
