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Emergency Services Cutbacks May Hit N.J. Towns

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Aug 19, 2008 6:44 pm US/Eastern

Emergency Services Cutbacks May Hit N.J. Towns

Residents Fearful They Won't Be Safe If There Aren't Enough Fire Departments And EMTs

Reporting
Christine Sloan

ROSELLE, N.J. (CBS) ―

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Tough economic times are taking a toll on smaller communities in New Jersey. Hackensack, Roselle and Linden are three towns which are considering sharp cutbacks in their emergency services.

Their plans aren't sitting well with some residents.

It could be a trend during these tough economic times – consolidating fire departments or privatizing EMT services, but some say that could be putting lives at risk.

"I want our own to take care of me," said Francis Trainor of Hackensack.

In Hackensack a coalition of residents is banding together to save eight paid city EMTs who have been handed pink slips. Joe Taylor is one of the EMTs who will be out of work next month when the Hackensack University Medical Center takes over ambulance services during the day.

"I lived in the city for five years and I've learned the city, these people are coming fresh out of school. They don't know what I've forgotten already," Taylor said.

The hospital will be using Vanguard Healthcare Management, which it says will..."provide the highest quality medical care to the people of Hackensack and to all our patients."

Stephen LoIacono, a Hackensack city manager, said he's not surprised.

"It is the sign of the times, absolutely, and this is the way first aid is going," he said.

Hackensack officials say the privatization deal will save the town -- and its taxpayers -- roughly $600,000 this year.

Meanwhile, in nearby Roselle, the mayor is closing the town's fire department, which also provides EMT services and relying on the fire department of nearby Linden for protection.

"We're looking to do what we can to cut taxes," Mayor Garret Smith said.

"If we close our only fire house in Roselle how is that going to provide adequate fire protection and ambulance services for citizens," Roselle Fire Chief Paul Mucha said.

Some residents support the proposal.

"Me, personally, I don't think it's a bad idea being Linden isn't too far," one person said.

Others worry about how quickly another town could respond.

"Our fire department will be gone," one said.

The Roselle City Council plans on proposing a study into consolidation Wednesday night and some neighbors say they will be there to oppose it.

Linden's mayor said he can't comment on the proposal until the city gets more specifics. In the meantime, EMTs in Hackensack have been told to apply for EMT jobs at the hospital. But most say they can't afford to live on the hourly pay Vanguard is offering.