SOUTH RIVER–The South River Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing an emergency contract with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in New Brunswick to provide emergency medical services.
The borough directed calls for emergency services from its residents to various first aid squads throughout the borough, including South River Emergency Medical Services Inc., according to information provided by the council.
During the March 25 council meeting, Borough Administrator Art Londensky said, “The South River [Emergency Medical Services Inc.] failed to adequately and completely provide emergency services throughout the borough. While the borough does appreciate the efforts of all of its volunteers, the governing body took the action to ensure that emergency medical services are consistently available to all residents.”
In accordance with two executive orders that were issued on July 2, 2018, and Oct.5, 2018, respectively, Mayor John Krenzel declared an emergency existed which substantially affects the health, safety and welfare of the public, and ordered that the borough direct all calls for emergency services from its residents to RWJUH, according to the council.
Also, no further calls for emergency medical services were to be directed or dispatched to South River Emergency Medical Services Inc., and members cannot use any ambulance, vehicles and/or equipment owned by the borough, according to the council.
Londensky said RWJUH started providing emergency medical services for the borough from midnight to 6 a.m. since July 12, 2018, and has been providing round-the-clock services since Oct. 5, 2018.
The borough also authorized RWJUH EMTs to park and charge its ambulance for use within the borough at the borough’s Office of Emergency Management Building, according to the council.
Londensky said the borough will not be charged by RWJUH for its services. He said RWJUH will determine how it bills residents and non-residents.
For more information, visit www.southrivernj.org/agendas/council/.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
