MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ESTABLISH MEDSTAR AMID EMS VOLUNTEER SHORTAGE
/MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ESTABLISH MEDSTAR AMID EMS VOLUNTEER SHORTAGE
By Cynthia Scott, Public Information Officer and Ted Freeman, Executive Undersheriff Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
On February 7, 2024, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden announced at a news conference that the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, with the support of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, is initiating a county-run emergency medical services operation called MedStar that will assist local agencies in need with emergency medical calls to ensure the most timely and effective emergency medical responses for the residents of Monmouth County, New Jersey.
“Volunteer EMS units play a crucial role in serving Monmouth County’s fifty-three municipalities. However, challenges have resulted in staffing shortages that are impacting response time and safety, so we are here to help,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. “This launch of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office MedStar initiative 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 will enhance emergency response capabilities in struggling towns that have entered into an agreement with Monmouth County.”
During calendar year 2023, there were more than 60,000 calls for service in Monmouth County that required an ambulance. In addition, out of the twenty-one counties in New Jersey, Monmouth County ranked 19th in response times.
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office MedStar initiative will assist by helping to fill that need and supplement the efforts of existing volunteer EMS squads.
“On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, I want to commend Sheriff Golden and his staff for developing the County MedStar initiative to fill an important need for our residents,” said Commission Director Thomas A. Arnone. “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 for MedStar for this essential service.”
“The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has obtained seven ambulances and two Tahoes, which will be stationed at EMS Central, located at the former site of Fort Monmouth in the building formerly used as a fire station, and is currently being renovated for its new role as EMS Central. Monmouth County MedStar will consist of highly trained, dedicated full- and part-time EMS professionals who will assist and work collaboratively with existing volunteer EMS squads in Tinton Falls and surrounding areas in the central region of Monmouth County.
The process will begin in the Monmouth County 911 Communications Center when an emergency call comes in and an ambulance is requested from the town with which an agreement has been made with the sheriff’s office. MedStar will respond, ensuring that the medical services provided are efficient and accessible. The services will be subsidized through insurance.
Michael Bascom, who has been the Monmouth County EMS Coordinator for over 30 years and is the president of the NJEMS Task Force, said, “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. With call volume continuously growing, volunteer and career staffing difficult to find and the profession failing to receive the level of support needed at the state and federal levels, this new initiative will support local EMS agencies in their efforts to ensure that requests for emergency medical assistance are answered in a timely manner, prioritized by acuity and NOT intended to replace successful local EMS programs, but rather to supplement them and fill gaps where they may exist throughout the county.”
Timothy Sidley, Director of EMS Operations, indicated that the Central Monmouth area, encompassing Tinton Falls and Oakhurst, is presently the focus area for MedStar. It is estimated that approximately fifteen calls for service per day will be answered in the coming months. By summer 2024, the renovations to the former Fort Monmouth firehouse should be completed and EMS operations centralized at that location. The average response time for MedStar has been under six minutes.
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office MedStar plans to maintain four ambulances on the road during days with two ambulances during nighttime hours. In addition, two supervisors will be on the day shift and one on the night shift. A dynamic staffing model will be used to analyze and adjust staffing levels to anticipated needs. Supervisors will have the authority to make decisions based on the volume of requests for service and available resources to cover those needs. The dynamic staffing model provides statistical analysis to project high, medium and low demand and permit scheduling of resources to meet the projected needs indicated.
Requirements for MedStar applicants will be: National and/or NJ EMT or Paramedic Certification, American Heart Association BLS CPR Certification, and a New Jersey Driver’s License. Preferred applicants will have the following: 3 years of Emergency Medical Services experience, Haz-Mat Awareness, ICS 100, 200, 300, NIMS 700, 800, CEVO, EVOC or equivalent, and TECC or TCCC.
Andrew Caruso, Director of EMS Training, will be responsible for providing and tracking training for all full- and part-time employees to ensure that all required certifications are met and maintained and conduct continuing education on topics specific to the ever-changing climate of EMS in the community. By the end of March 2024, it is anticipated that there will be twenty-six full-time employees, ten part-time employees and eight supervisors for a total of forty-four employees.
Sheriff Shaun Golden noted, “One of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” He also said, “Success is the residue of planning.” I commend the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners for their foresight in creating MedStar as we continue to meet the public safety needs of those who live, work and visit Monmouth County.”
