MONMOUTH COUNTY – Amid the shortage of volunteer EMTs, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has launched a county-run emergency medical services operation, MedStar.
The initiative is led by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office along with the support of the Board of County Commissioners. MedStar will assist local agencies in need with emergency medical calls, aiming to ensure quick and effective emergency medical responses for residents.
“Volunteer EMS units play a crucial role in serving communities, but challenges have resulted in staffing shortages that are impacting response time and safety, so we are here to help,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “This launch of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office EMS Operation, MedStar, is a testament to our dedication to public safety and resolve to address the shortage of EMS volunteers head-on. It bridges the gap and enhances emergency response capabilities in struggling towns entering into an agreement with Monmouth County.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, more than 60,000 calls for service in Monmouth County required an ambulance last year. Out of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Monmouth County ranks 19th in response times.
With the number of volunteers decreasing, the demand has been challenging. The goal of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office EMS Operation is to fill that need and help supplement the efforts of existing volunteer EMS squads.
“On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, I want to commend Sheriff Golden and his staff for developing the County EMS operation to fill an important need of our residents,” Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “Safety is at the cornerstone of everything we do here in Monmouth County and the Board of County Commissioners is proud to provide financial support to the County EMS operation for this essential service.”
Sheriff Shaun Golden makes the announcement. (Photo courtesy Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office)
Currently, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has four ambulances and two quick response vehicles that will be stationed at EMS Central, located at Fort Monmouth.
The county EMS unit consists trained full and part time EMS professionals who will assist and collaborate with existing volunteer EMS squads in Tinton Falls and surrounding areas in the central region of the county.
“I appreciate that Sheriff Golden and the Board of County Commissioners have listened to those of us in the EMS community who have been sounding the alarm that help is needed. Call volume is continuously growing, volunteer and career staffing are difficult to find, and the profession fails to receive the level of support needed at the state and federal levels, to maintain an appropriate level of preparedness,” said Michael Bascom, who has been the Monmouth County EMS Coordinator for more than 30 years, and the President of the NJEMS Task Force. “This program will support local EMS agencies in their efforts to assure that requests for emergency medical assistance are answered in a timely manner as prioritized by acuity. It is not intended to replace successful local EMS programs, but rather to supplement them and fill gaps where they exist throughout the county.”
When an emergency call comes into the Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center and an ambulance is requested, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office EMS Unit will respond if that town needs assistance (from the town with which the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has entered into an agreement). The services will be subsidized through insurance.
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