TOMS RIVER – Silverton EMS will no longer be sent on calls after a resident dials 911. This administrative change was made on July 22.
“We’ve been advised by legal counsel that financial irregularities associated with Silverton EMS are potentially criminal, and the matter is being referred to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office,” Mayor Daniel Rodrick said. “Given what we have learned, I had no choice but to take swift action. We have hired 17 more EMTs and put several additional ambulances on the road. Police Chief Mitch Little and EMS Supervisor Kevin Monaghan have assured me the recent increase in staff and ambulances will prevent any interruption in Emergency Medical Services. We will update the community as the investigation unfolds.”
A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office said that per policy they cannot comment on anything brought to them – or even if there is an investigation.
Silverton EMS President Kevin Geoghegan said he was willing to walk into the prosecutor’s office himself with all of the paperwork to show that everything is being done above board.
“This has nothing to do with patient care,” Geoghegan said. “This is strictly part of Dan Rodrick’s revenge tour.”
Geoghegan ran and lost in the primary election against Rodrick’s choice for council, William Byrne.
The news of this change became public when a letter was published on Facebook that read:
“As the department head of the police department and EMS program, I have been instructed by Mayor Rodrick to draft this letter concerning the dispatching of non-TR Volunteer First Aid Squads, specifically Silverton EMS. Please notify the fire dispatchers that effective immediately, Silverton EMS will no longer be dispatched to calls for service.”
The letter was written by Police Chief Mitch Little to Fire Administrator Brian Kubiel.
The reason that the letter was sent from the police administrator to the fire administrator was because there are police dispatchers and fire dispatchers, Geoghegan said. Most people are unaware of the many intricacies to fire and first aid operations.
“Support has been overwhelming throughout Silverton” and other areas of town, he said, after the town’s announcement.
Geoghegan said that the EMS is exploring all avenues to get back to service.
“Just because you have an attorney that gives you the answer you want doesn’t mean it’s legal,” he said of the town’s actions.
The squad posted the following message on its Facebook page:
“First and foremost, the squad would like to thank our friends, neighbors, and supporters for their overwhelming calls of support in light of the mayor’s recent attack. Additionally, we offer our sincerest apologies to our community who will ultimately be the ones to suffer due to this void in EMS services that he has created.
The mayor has been overwhelmed with these very same calls. Today, he has doubled down making claims of criminal activity and alleging ‘financial irregularities’ and that the matter has been referred to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. We welcome their investigation. We have already reached out and left a message for them to come review our books, staffing, and even our entire operation.
“Silverton EMS is a 501(c)3 and remains compliant with all IRS reporting, including a complete audit of our books which was conducted last year. An audit that revealed no irregularities! In fact, once this investigation is complete and clears Silverton EMS of any wrongdoing, we would like to publicly post our revenue and expenses and invite the mayor to do the same for the Township’s EMS program…
“In an effort to maintain transparency, we would like to clarify a few points as there has been some conflicting and contradictory information being circulated. We want our supporters to be educated with the most accurate information and would encourage you to ask us, rather than relying on inaccurate social media posts.
“1- There is no plan to sell the first aid building to become a synagogue, nor any other house of worship. The only plan for this building is to operate as a local EMS entity to serve our local Silverton community, as it has been operated for 60 years.
“2- We are no longer a volunteer entity. This is often confused with still being a non-profit. As the economy has changed, there was a need to begin paying our EMTs to continue operating. We (up until yesterday) have maintained a crew of EMTs 24/7 for approximately 12 years now. Often as weather dictates, or staffing of the Toms River Township EMTs fluctuates, we have added additional crews as needed, to support our local community and the entire township, all without using your tax dollars.
“3- Billing: Silverton EMS does bill medical insurance. The amount we bill is set by the township ordinance and is identical to what is billed by the township’s EMS program. To operate in this manner is commonplace in most towns throughout NJ. We follow the same billing model as the township, where we accept what insurance pays. Township residents are not billed for any balance. Our entire operation is supported through this. We do not have the luxury of using tax dollars to supplement our operation.”
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