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Metuchen EMS reports busy start to 2026, appeals for volunteers and donations
Summary
Metuchen EMS told the borough council it has handled more than 100 calls so far in 2026, has about 30 active participants each month, faces the departure of six experienced members and has raised just under $40,000 versus roughly $110,000 in annual expenses, and asked residents to donate and consider volunteering.
Gina Lee Chimenez, a volunteer with Metuchen EMS and a senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, told the Metuchen Borough Council on March 9 that the service has fielded more than 100 calls so far in 2026 and has averaged about 30 participants per month.
"We've had a very busy start to the year, over a 100 calls already," Chimenez said, listing two weekend periods in February with more than 10 calls each and describing responses that included two auto rollovers and entrapments. She said Metuchen EMS supported the Metuchen fire department at a February 12 incident at Redfield Village but did not transport any patients from that event.
Chimenez said the volunteer service has low turnover overall but expects six experienced members to leave for medical or physical-therapy school in coming months, and the organization has added seven new EMTs in the past six months. She said the group has raised just under $40,000 in the current fund drive toward annual expenses she estimated at about $110,000.
The EMS volunteer asked residents to contribute and explained online giving options. "We are a volunteer organization and we do not charge for our service," Chimenez said. She directed donors to metuchenems.org for a PayPal link and noted one nonworking link that should be ignored.
Council members thanked Chimenez and asked about career plans; she said she intends to stay in the medical field and is applying to colleges. Council members also asked staff to track pool of volunteers and noted the department will review staffing and fundraising results after the season.
The presentation closed with the council acknowledging the need for outreach and recruiting to replace departing members and maintain 24/7 coverage.
The council meeting record shows Chimenez's remarks and the financial and staffing figures were presented during the EMS summary report to the council.
