A hit-and-run accident on Monday morning left a 57-year-old Jackson resident hospitalized, officials said. Concetta Jasinski of 11 Dogwood Drive was driving west on Larsen Road in her 2000 white Honda Civic when she was struck by a vehicle in the left rear, causing her to hit a utility pole, according to Officer Chris Kelly of the Traffic Safety Unit. He said Jasinski was unresponsive at the scene, and EMS, police, and fire personnel had to clear power lines near the roadway before they could help her. She was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for evaluation and was expected to be released this evening.

The suspect vehicle is a dark blue or black mini-van with minor right front end damage, Kelly said.The roadway was closed for several hours until power was restored, and Crawford-Rodriguez and Howard C. Johnson Elementary Schools and nearby residents lost power for a while.
Anyone with a witness account is asked to call Officer Kelly at (732) 928-1111 Ext. 2405.

Dryer Fire Turns Into A Working Structure For First Due Units  

Monday 12/3/07 12:57- Jackson Fire District 3 (Sta. 55) firefighters were dispatched along with Sta. 57 Whitesville and Sta. 54 Jackson Mills Fire Companies to a reported smoke coming from a dryer at a Liverpool Ct home in the Flair Development. First Due unit 5505 operated by FF Mim Stacy with Acting  Co. Officer FF Mike Mc Laughlin reported smoke showing upon arrival and advised his crew to pull a 1-3/4 hand line. Second due unit 5511 operated by FF Jim Howles with Co. Officer Lt Gerard Moroney assumed command and instructed his unit to drop a 5" line to the hydrant and feed 5505. Fire Official Frank McDonnell arrived and assumed accountability. Lt Ed Moore arrived in 5708 operated by Jay Zimmerman and assumed interior command reporting a working fire. Firefighters Mike Mc Laughlin, Pat Hilger, Mike Grossman and Mike Granato met with heavy smoke at the front door operated an aggressive interior fire attack into the utility room where the fire was located. The fire was knocked down with some extension into the garage and kitchen area. A preliminary and secondary search was conducted with negative results. The home sustained water damage as well as moderate smoke and heavy fire damage in the area of the fire origin. The fire was under control within 10  minutes. There were no injuries to firefighters or the homeowner who was home with her son at the time of he fire and called 911. Crews operated salvage and overhaul in and attempt to protect property and check for structural fire extension. Jackson Police and Mon-Oc EMS also responded to the scene. The Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 & 3 in conjunction with the Ocean County Fire Marshals Office investigated the fire determining the origin to be the clothes dryer and was ruled accidental.   

Fire At Trailer Park Damages 2 Trailer Homes 

11/29/07 2:39 p.m. - Fire District 3 firefighters responded to a fire at 12 Anthony Way in a mobile home park off Route 571. The fire was reported at 2:39 p.m. today. One trailer was heavily damaged and a second suffered exterior damage. The fire was located in the Cassville section of the Township just off Toms River Rd. Jackson Fire District 3 firefighters Lt. Ed Moore and Firefighter Jay Zimmerman working there assigned station on So. Hope Chapel Rd, Whitesville Sta. 57, responded as automatic aid with tanker 5708. Upon arrival they found a mobile home trailer fully involved in fire with two fire exposures. Quickly Firefighter Zimmerman supplied 5621 with water who was first due with one firefighter on board. Lt Moore hosed down one of the two trailers protecting it from fire extension until more firefighters arrived on scene, then began an interior attack on the main fire. The fire was knocked down within 15 - 20 minutes. Mutual aid was also requested by Cassville Chief 5600 from Manchester Fire Co. for additional manpower and Lakehurst Navy Station Fire Dept. for a FAST team. Salvage and overhaul was conducted and there were no reports of injuries although a dog was killed in the fire. It was unknown if anyone was home at the time of the fire. The Jackson Bureau of Fire Prevention Districts 2 & 4 was conducting the fire Investigation.

First Aid Plan Just Another Bad Idea
Jackson Times 11/23/07

As if deciding not to spray for gypsy moths regardless of the state's opinion wasn't bad enough…

As if deciding to ignore the state DEP regulations and build an illegal road through wetlands, which may cost the taxpayers dearly in fines wasn't bad enough…

As if building two basketball courts at almost half a million dollars with one bid isn't bad enough…

Now Mayor Seda and his council have decided to take over the first aid and run it through the township. Does anyone think this is going to save taxpayers money? Or even better, does anyone think it will improve response times that are already below the state average?

The mayor and council's latest fiasco that they are attempting to shove down our throats is the idea of having Jackson Township run the ambulance services during the day time hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Currently, those services are contracted out to MONOC, a private company whose services cost the taxpayers nothing, zero, zilch! MONOC currently provides two ambulances to the town everyday and their response times are below the state average. They might be willing to supply even more ambulances, but Mayor Seda refuses to speak to them and will not return their phone calls nor respond to letters from MONOC asking for the opportunity to discuss a solution to any current problems.

So why change? Well the mayor and council seem to think that by Jackson Township running this operation, the town could make money. Let's say that the town does make money in the first year. At some point, the town will have to buy more ambulances, hire more EMTs, obtain greater insurance coverage to protect the town against lawsuits, hire more mechanics to maintain the vehicles and incur other costs that simply cannot be anticipated. How long will it take before this service costs the taxpayers more and more money each year?

The question is: Why fix something that isn't broken? I called MONOC to find out why the mayor and council are proposing this change and discovered that the mayor and council have refused to talk to them - the current company that provides services to Jackson residents on a daily basis and is in the best position to solve whatever problems there might be. In fact, MONOC only learned about what is happening through reading the newspapers, just like the rest of us.

In fact, MONOC has called the mayor's office six times and has written letters to the town. They are more than willing to provide additional services, ambulances and increased hours of coverage if needed to the township, again at no cost to the taxpayers.

Dear Mr. Mayor and council, before you jeopardize the lives of residents as well as give us an even bigger tax increase than you already have, why don't you at a minimum open dialogue with MONOC and the many qualified volunteers who have tirelessly served our community for so many years to see if you can solve any issues without the necessity of adding costs to the already overburdened taxpayers of Jackson. Mike Kafton, Jackson

Bids in for next phase of medical response issue
Jackson continues to assess options for future services
11/21/07 Tri Town News BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
In response to a request for proposals, two companies have submitted bids to provide emergency medical transport services in Jackson. The bids from interested firms had to be submitted by 10 a.m. Nov. 16. The sealed bids were opened and read at that time.

At present, the Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Service Corp. (MONOC) answers calls for basic life support (BLS) services in Jackson between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.

From 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad answers calls for BLS services in Jackson.

MONOC answers calls for advanced life support (ALS) services in Jackson 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will continue to do so regardless of what decision is made regarding the BLS provider.

In recent months Mayor Mark Seda has discussed making changes to the emergency medical response system in Jackson. The mayor has mentioned the possibility of instituting some type of municipal response unit.

The two companies that submitted bids in response to the request for proposals are MONOC, with headquarters in Neptune, and Quality Medical Transport, Bayville. Both firms responded to eight service options that were listed on a proposal form for cost of services.

For all eight service options, Quality Medical Transport listed no cost to Jackson. MONOC listed no cost to Jackson for three of the eight options, and costs ranging from $66,000 to $467,000 for the remaining five options.

The eight options are:

• Option 1 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $150,000.

• Option 2 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $192,000.

• Option 3 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 5:59 a.m. or 24-hour service. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $467,000.

• Option 4 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $143,000.

• Option 5 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. or 24-hour service. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $260,000.

• Option 6 - Two units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $0.

• Option 7 - Two units on hand between 6 a.m., and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $0.

• Option 8 - Two units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. or 24 hour service. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $66,000.

MONOC stated on its bid document that its bid "takes into account the cost to MONOC of providing the service, the expected revenues received from third parties and nonresident patients, and the services being provided at no charge by the township, including dispatch and three ready rooms (rent and utilities).

Councilwoman Emily Ingram has noted that response times by the community's emergency medical responders has been an ongoing issue in Jackson.

In an effort to address that situation Seda began looking into the possibility of having a community service officer and a municipal first aid squad on duty during the daytime hours, replacing the BLS services provided by MONOC.

Seda has said there will be a community meeting to focus on this matter. Presentations by the mayor and Public Safety Director Matthew Kunz have been given to some of Jackson's adult communities.

Among the concerns residents have raised in regard to the provision of emergency medical responses are the number of ambulances that will be available at any particular time; the location of the ambulances in Jackson; the actual response times and why there are differences in statistics being provided; and whether a municipal first-aid squad will raise taxes due to salaries, pensions and medical benefits for first-aid employees.

Council waiting for info on possible EMS switch
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
JACKSON - The future of emergency medical services (EMS) in the township remained a topic of discussion at the Oct. 23 meeting of the Township Council. Councilwoman Emily Ingram said more facts and information are needed in order for officials to make a decision regarding the provision of emergency medical services. "Currently, Jackson's emergency medical services are provided by an outside company called MONOC (professional paramedics) from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Jackson First Aid Squad from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.," Ingram said. She said there have been concerns raised regarding poor response time on the part of the emergency medical services providers. "In an effort to resolve these problems the mayor began looking into the possibility of having a community service officer," Ingram said. "That means there is the possibility of expanding a branch of the police department to provide emergency medical technicians to provide basic life support services and maintaining an outside company that will continue to provide the advanced life support services." In order to have the best possible solution it would be incumbent upon Mayor Mark Seda to do research on the topic, the councilwoman said.

"The mayor explained that in government as opposed to corporate America, one does not merely go out and get an estimate," Ingram said. "In government we would have to put together specifics and go out and get an RFP, a request for proposal, to obtain information from outside companies. Getting these RFPs is the information gathering process and not the time to make concrete decisions." The councilwoman said this would be the information that would be used to do the analytical research in determining what option is best for the health and safety for the residents of Jackson. "I suggest the mayor find out where the problem is occurring, [ask if] the delay an isolated incident, what can be done to correct the problem without the proposed change and if it is changed, what are the specifics, the positives and negatives that will affect the health and welfare of the residents and are they long-term or shortterm," Ingram said. She said changes cannot be made in haste. "My support or lack of support will only come after a complete understanding of the process [that will] effect the changes," Ingram said.

Councilman Scott Martin said, "It is important that the public exercise patience as we work our way through the process." The council members voted 4-0 on a resolution authorizing the solicitation of proposals for emergency medical services. Councilman Jason Gudaitis was not present at the meeting During the public portion of the meeting resident Ruth Krisman said MONOC's provision of basic life support services works pretty well during the day. "It's not broken," Krisman said. "Why are we trying to fix that? We should be concentrating on the evening hours. What makes you think we are going to run an efficient emergency medical services system without raising our taxes and doing a better job than what we already have?" Seda said he went to two adult communities to get feedback on this issue. "I made it clear that I would get information back to those communities," Seda said. "We don't know if the EMS program is the way to go. Based on the information I had received, it may be an option to solve the problem. You say that MONOC doesn't have a problem and [the] first aid [squad] has a problem. Well, if you run the numbers against Jackson First Aid, they aren't too far off.

"MONOC ran about 690 calls and roughly 200-plus calls were above 15 minutes response time. If you run Jackson first aid they ran about the same number of calls and just about 200 of them were above 15 minutes … There is a problem and it was brought to my attention," the mayor said, adding that he is not certain yet how to address the problem. "In order for me to deal with this I have to go with both programs," Seda said. "We have the RFPs we put out tonight which will allow us to receive bids. That will give me the second half of the equation." Seda said a forum will be held and everyone will have a chance to speak on the issue. "Then we will come to a decision, between myself and the council, on which way to move forward," he said. "Not only to be the most cost-effective, but to ensure that our response times are more responsible than they are right now." Resident Dennis Lafer thanked the council members for their active involvement in the EMS issue. He said this is the first time the issues have had a full airing and were objectively reviewed. Council President Ann Updegrave said Seda wants to do what is best for residents. "We don't want to force anything down your throats," she said. 

"That's a breath of fresh air," Lafer responded. "What created the disturbance was the declaration by the mayor that he was getting rid of the day program (MONOC) before any data was produced. Tonight it showed that the mayor must have data and I hope that data is shared with us so we can review that information." Frank Fatovic of the Jackson Fire Department questioned the emergency response times and said he listens to MONOC and to the Jackson First Aid Squad. "We have two ambulances on during the day from MONOC and there have been multiple times when there have been three, four, five calls at a time and the same thing at night with the volunteers. I don't think it's adequate to have only two ambulances during the day," Fatovic said. Jackson First Aid Squad First Lt. Gary Nokes said it appears that bashing the first aid squad has become quite trendy. "We as a first aid squad are under fire. I really take offense to some of the comments that have been made, but these are some of the observations I have made," he told the council. Nokes said the volunteer first aid squad responds to two types of calls.

"We have life threatening calls and we have non-emergency calls such as assists and carbon monoxide alarms. I think there is a lack of education with some of the newer residents," he said. Nokes said there have been some discrepancies with the 911 call system that are being addressed. "Residents should know that when they dial 911 the call doesn't go to the town. It goes to the county sheriffs office," he said. Nokes said the first aid squad is alive and well with new members joining all the time and an excellent cadet program for young people. "A lot of the things people are reacting to is hearsay," he said. "We don't have the data that we really need to substantiate some of these claims." Nokes said the first aid squad members do not hear complaints. Instead, he told the council, they read the complaints in the newspapers and said that is a sad state of affairs. "We give 150 percent. From time to time, cases will occur. Are they the norm or are they the exception? There is a silent majority in the community that supports the volunteer first aid squad," Nokes said. "From 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. you won't see a bill (for services). As long as I am an official of the squad I vow that you will not see a bill from Jackson first aid. It's a free service and a professional service We are working hard and I'm disappointed in the squad bashing." 

After the meeting Ingram said she will not support a change in Jackson's emergency response system unless she has a chance to review information to show that research was done or that there was a sufficient amount of research. "My concern is the welfare of the residents," she said. Updegrave said, "We're going to vote for what is best for the town. Right now told [the mayor] after a meeting with the people from the adult communities that would not change anything, I would beef up what we have." Updegrave said she would wait for the RFPs to come in and see if anybody would submit a bid that is better than what has been offered. "It all depends upon what comes out in that forum that he [the mayor] has that he is inviting everybody to and the date has not been determined," Updegrave said. "I'm sure it's coming up pretty soon within a month's time."

MAYOR: Suggested replacing MONOC with municipal squad

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/31/07 BY FRAIDY REISS  TOMS RIVER BUREAU

JACKSON — It was about 2:30 in the morning when Bernice Brody called 911. Her 69-year-old husband, Mal Brody, had fallen and hit his head on furniture. Fifteen minutes later, with Mal unconscious, she called again. Still no ambulance. "I was trying to stay calm," Bernice Brody said. "I was running to the front door, thinking maybe they missed my house." The ambulance did not arrive for some 35 minutes, she said. Perhaps if it had arrived sooner, her husband would be alive, she said. Alfred Couceiro, captain of the town's volunteer first aid squad, said he is investigating what went wrong that night and pointed out that police and paramedics also took too long responding. Brody stressed that she does not blame anyone for her husband's death. Still, residents refer to the tragedy frequently as the town continues its heated debate about whether to change its first aid service.

"They can't do anything about my husband, but I would not like to see it happen to the next person," Brody said. Since 2003, Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Service Corp. (MONOC) has provided emergency-medical services for Jackson every day from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m., and the town's volunteer squad has provided those services from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. However, in the last few months, Mayor Mark A. Seda met with residents in several adult communities around town and discussed a plan to replace MONOC by Nov. 15 with a paid municipal squad that operates out of the Police Department. The change would improve response times, Seda told residents.

Not everyone is convinced. At a Township Council meeting earlier this month, which the mayor did not attend, several residents stood up and criticized him for what they said was not answering their questions about his plans for emergency medical services. They rejected council members' response that the council could not get involved until the mayor presents his final proposal on the subject. However, at residents' insistence, the council has formed an advisory committee of residents and representatives of MONOC and of the volunteer squad, who will provide input as the mayor prepares his proposal.

"It appears they've taken a 180-degree turn in terms of how they're approaching the issue," resident Paul Mayerowitz said. The mayor said he welcomes the advisory committee's input, and he blamed himself for the anger that residents showed at the Oct. 9 council meeting. "It was my failure to communicate what we were actually doing," Seda said. "I miscommunicated the message, and I apologize." He added that he does not yet have all the information residents have requested. Seda also said he needs more information before he can announce which direction the township's first aid service should take.

Seda said he believes the town would have more control over a municipal squad's response times than it does over MONOC's, but he fears that a municipal squad could lose money if not properly managed. He is compiling data on MONOC's response times and on the volunteer squad's response times, he said.

Seda also is waiting for responses to two requests-for-proposals the town has posted, with return dates in mid-November. One seeks bids on the third-party billing service the town would need if it established its own first aid squad. The other asks for bids on the type of EMS service MONOC now provides, with a variety of options for the number of hours and the number of rigs on call. MONOC planned to submit a proposal for the EMS service, said Jeff Behm, vice president of operations for the company. However, he said, the company already is doing a good job of providing that service to Jackson at a low price, and no change is necessary.

"You're paying us less than $1,300 for a year of service," Behm said. "What are you complaining about?" Behm has lived in town for eight years, and he said that, as a resident, he would not like to see MONOC's responsibilities shifted to the police department. "It takes a lot to run EMS, and the last people who should run EMS is a police department, Behm said. "Don't let EMS be the bastard child of emergency services." For now, residents need to remain patient as the town gathers the information needed to make an informed decision about the future of first aid in Jackson, Councilman Scott Martin said. "I can assure everyone the mayor will present his plan at a public forum where the public will be invited and have every opportunity to ask questions," Martin said.

Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 10/28/07

Would you feel safer with one or two paramedics at your side during a medical emergency? That is one of the debates currently afield in New Jersey health care circles as professionals and politicians mull an in-depth and largely critical report on the state's systems of emergency medical services, or EMS. The study, by emergency-services consultants TriData, a division of System Planning Corp. of Arlington, Va., said New Jersey's EMS system is in "near crisis" condition — hurt by needs for money, gaps in coverage and the increasing and worrisome lack of volunteers, among other flaws. "The consultants suggest that it is a mess," said state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Senate health committee.

In New Jersey, where bustling urban centers exist less than an hour's drive from rural backwaters, EMS is a stew of different arrangements. There are paid municipal systems, all-volunteer systems, and then the hybrids — volunteers in the evening, private services from dawn to dusk. One of the 55 suggestions in the study is to allow advanced life-support ambulances to be staffed by one emergency medical technician and just one paramedic, rather than the two paramedics now required. Winnie Hartvigsen, captain of the Dover and Brick First Aid Squad in Normandy Beach commended the study's suggestion, saying "I think one EMT and paramedic would stretch the paramedic coverage across the state."

Jane Geoghegan, captain of Silverton First Aid Squad, worked as a paramedic for 25 years, traveling with only one EMT during an emergency, and said the system worked out excellent. "We rode on the ambulance with only one paramedic and one EMT and it worked out fine. We had no problems and answered a lot of calls," she said. According to Geoghegan, EMTs gained life-saving skills they otherwise would not have learned by working hand-in-hand with one paramedic on board the ambulance.

"They (EMT) got more involved and it helped them gain more experience on top of already being well versed," she said, adding she is pleased with proposals presented in the report. "I think the recommendations made were excellent." "It wouldn't affect us at all," said Bob Pfleger, director of the 5 Squad Association, where emergency services are pooled among the neighboring communi-"Many paramedics and medical directors like the two-paramedic system because they believe it provides better patient care," said the report."Unfortunately, these beliefs have not been quantified in New Jersey or anywhere else."

"There is no evidence that supports having two paramedics. ... The EMS system can no longer afford to operate on assumptions that lack data," said the report. Scott Kasper of Mount Laurel, president of the New Jersey Association of Paramedic Programs, said an emergency medical technician receives 110 hours of training in basics, while paramedics receive in excess of 1,500 hours of more-detailed responsibilities. "A paramedic brings the emergency department to the patient," Kasper said.

Jane Marion, EMT with Dover-Brick First Aid Squad, said she was asked to participate in one of the studies focus groups to voice her concerns. Just back from a first aid call yesterday, Marion explained that she shared with officials that "for those of us in EMS anything that stretches our meager resources is a positive thing." "We are all overstressed and overtaxed," she said. Marion said the present two-paramedic system, utilizes one paramedic as a driver and one works in the back with the EMT. "Primarily you are only working with one paramedic anyway," she said. The benefits of the one-paramedic system, said the report, include that "a limited number of paramedics will allow these providers to develop and maintain the skill expertise needed to provide effective care."

John Tweed, executive director of the New Jersey Medical Transportation Association, speaking for non-hospital ambulance operations, disagreed, saying New Jersey's density and road systems lend themselves toward more dramatic crashes, collapses and other crises requiring EMTs. "Many of the people we hire are paramedics," Tweed said. "They say there is often a need for that second paramedic, for that second pair of hands. Here in New Jersey we seem to have high incidents of more dramatic trauma." The state Department of Health and Senior Services is reviewing the study before reacting with a plan of action, deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Joseph Tricarico said, whose mandate includes emergency services. "They are going to be looked at very carefully," Tricarico said of the report's suggestions, noting that advisory groups will examine the study, make suggestions to health commissioner Dr. Fred Jacobs, who would then go to Gov. Jon S. Corzine and the Legislature, or take departmental steps where possible.

MORE DATA NEEDED BEFORE POTENTIAL EMS CHANGES
By Keith Hagarty

Under the mayor's plan, the MONOC service would be eliminated. Instead a new community service officer under the auspice of the township police department would be created to oversee a new municipal emergency medical service. The service would be provided by the town.

The plan calls for municipal emergency services units to be formed in order to provide basic life support coverage between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad, providing coverage from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

In order to find out how much switching EMS services would cost taxpayers, the township council this week authorized the advertisement and solicitation of proposals for bid from contractors of emergency services. The council said the requests are merely a means of obtaining data to be used in a review of the issue, and not intended as an official move to switch the town's EMS service.

Until such a review is completed, there cannot yet be a definitive answer as to what the end result will be, Seda explained at the council's meeting on Tuesday.

"I explained what a CSO (Community Service Organization) program is and what we're doing to get that program in place, but at the same time I made it clear that during the review we're doing I would get information back to those communities," he said. "Until, we have that, we don't know if the CSO program is the way to go."

The council's authorization to solicit bids is the only way to find out what the actual costs would be if such a plan were enacted, said Councilwoman Emily Ingram.

"One does not merely go out and get an estimate," said Ingram. "In government we have to put together specifications and go out and hold request for proposals (RFP) to obtain information from outside companies."

Ingram cautioned against making a final judgment either way until all the facts are brought to light.

"This would be the information that we'd use to do the research in determining what is best for the health and safety of Jackson," she said.

Some of the questions Ingram would like to see answered in the final review of the response time data would be: whether the response time delays represent a growing trend or are merely reflective of isolated incidents; what can be done to correct any problems without complete change to the EMS providers; and if there is to be change, then what would be the specifics, both positive and negative, that would affect both the long-term and short-term health and welfare of the residents?

"Patience and understanding are vital," Ingram said of the town's decision process on the potential change. "Any changes that may, or may not be made cannot be done in haste."

Councilman Scott Martin agreed with Ingram, asking the residents for patience during the review process.

"The fact is we have received a number of complaints about response times during the day and evening," said Martin. "The responsible way to address this issue is to consider all options, including corrective measures we can make with MONOC and Jackson First Aid, as well as, looking into a CSO program and the possibility of bringing in another service. I want to assure all of the residents all options are being weighed."

First Leieutenant Gary Nooks, of the Jackson First Aid Squad, wants the public to know that despite the ongoing EMS debate, his squad is alive and well.

"We're in great shape and taking on new members constantly," he said. "There is a lack of data. Unfortunately what a lot of people are reacting to is a lot of hearsay. We don't have the data that we really need to substantiate these claims."

The news of a potential change to the town's EMS service came as complete surprise to the first aid squad, according to Nooks.

"It's funny, but we don't hear complaints," said Nooks. "You know what we do, is we read about them in the newspapers, and that's a sad state of affairs … We don't give 100 percent, we give 150 percent to this organization."

It's important to Nooks that residents know all the factors that go into emergency response times.

"Please understand as residents that when you dial 9-1-1, the call is not going into the town, it's going to the county sheriff's office where the information is retrieved, then processed, and then forwarded to us," said Nooks.

No matter what decision is ultimately made on the issue, Martin said the men and women of the Jackson First Aid are to be commended for their selfless dedication.

"We have some of the most dedicated people volunteering their time for the Jackson First Aid," he said. "As a councilman and as a resident I deeply appreciate all of their efforts."

Giving Credit Where It's Due

We need to give credit where credit is due and we need to credit the Jackson Town Council for the initiatives they took this past Tuesday night (10/09/07) on the important issue of emergency medical services. The events that evening were truly a classic example of a "civics class in the democratic process." The town council began the night with a statement that they recognized emergency medical services was a critical issue. They were awaiting the mayor's proposal for review and in a mayor council form of government, the mayor did not have to inform them of his plans until they were put on the council agenda. During the public forum session of the meeting, one resident after another explained why this issue was so crucial and that our elected representatives had the powers to take more affirmative action than just sitting idly by waiting for the mayor's plan.

The council listened and they finally understood what their constituents wanted and the town council delivered. It agreed that no vote would be taken on the issue of emergency medical services until there was a formal proposal presented to the public and town council and that it was thoroughly reviewed. In an unprecedented step, at least during my residency in Jackson, the council agreed to appoint a special citizen advisory board to specifically assist them in the review and analysis of the mayor's proposal.

These actions go a long way in restoring the public's confidence that participatory government in Jackson does exist and that we all have common objectives that we can share and work towards. As a result, with the full cooperation of the mayor, town council and citizen advisory board, we should be able to obtain the best possible emergency medical services that we can afford and deserve. Such an action by the town council and with the support of the mayor can and should be emulated with other positive initiatives that can only make Jackson a better place to live.

Congratulations to the members of the town council and we all thank you. Paul Mayerowitz, Jackson

Fire district seeks approval to use school district fuel
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer  Tri Town News

JACKSON - Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella informed the Board of Education at a recent meeting that Jackson Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Fire Chief Kenny Byrnes has asked if Fire District No. 3, which has six vehicles, can use the school district's gas/diesel pumping facility. "They are willing to pay for any expense we have," Gialanella said. "They believe they can save about 15 cents to 20 cents a gallon from what they are paying right now." At the present time, Fire District No. 3 is using the township's pumping facility to fill its vehicles. Gialanella said the fire vehicles only need 87 octane gas and the township facility pumps 89 octane gas. "There's a 15-cent difference," Gialanella said. "Chief Burns told me they are paying for something they don't need. There is an additional 5 percent administration fee that the town charges them." Gialanella said Fire District No. 3 officials are willing to pay an administration fee to the school district if the board allows them to use the gas pumps.

"The basic reason for the request is because we pump 87 octane," the superintendent said. "They use about 2,500 gallons per quarter and they are willing to abide by the restrictions that the transportation department puts on them." With the exception of emergencies, the fire district's vehicles would not be filled up between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Gialanella said. "They will not be in our way," the superintendent told the board. "Our pumps are open 24 hours a day and they can come any time after that and use them. It's all computer generated and key operated, so we can run reports on what they are using and what we are using." He called it a shared service that will not interfere with school district transportation. Gialanella said he will also discuss the matter with municipal officials. He said he was concerned that Jackson's other fire districts may want to do this and said it may not be feasible.

An immediate decision is not necessary, he said, and the board members may consider how they would like to address the request from Fire District No. 3. Board Vice President Barbara Fiero asked if the school district would get a cheaper price if they used more fuel and was told that question would be looked into. In other business, the superintendent reported on the progress of recent construction projects. "The work at Jackson Memorial High School is ahead of schedule and there is only one bathroom in the B Wing that is still not done. All the others have been completed," he said, adding that the unfinished bathroom should be completed in about a week.  "The maintenance building (to be constructed) at Jackson Liberty High School is awaiting permits," Gialanella said. "We went down today and set up some permits, so that's moving ahead." Specifications for sprinklers, wells and electric service for the fields at Jackson Liberty will be redesigned and re-bid, he said. At McAuliffe Middle School, all projects have been completed and were on budget, the superintendent said.

Gialanella asked John Lamela, the director of human resources, for a list of all projects that were completed during the summer, including work that was completed at the Rosenauer and Switlik schools. That list is expected to be available at the next board meeting.

Jackson folks must make critical decision

Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 10/11/07

And, oddly, the complaints that sparked the proposed changes were about the night volunteer squad response times, yet Seda previously said he planned to keep the evening volunteers. His idea was to change the daytime first aid arrangements, even though there have been no complaints about MONOC's day response times. We urge the mayor and governing body to heed the words of resident Paul Meyerowitz, who told the committee, "We are letting you know loud and clear we want to be a part of the decision process." That is the least Jackson residents deserve regarding this critical matter that could mean the difference between life or death. 

Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 10/11/07

JACKSON — The devil is in the details.That's what a contingent of irate Jackson Township residents told the Township Committee Tuesday night, referring to the township's less-than-detailed plans for revamping Jackson's emergency first aid service. Several Jackson residents pressed the committee for details regarding Mayor Mark A. Seda's proposed plans to replace the township's volunteer first aid squad. Residents also told the committee they plan to be involved in that decision-making process from start to finish and won't take no for an answer. Committee members pleaded ignorance, saying they knew nothing about the mayor's plans, other than that he told them that he would be outlining it to the township at a public forum in the near future.

But some Jackson residents cried foul, accusing the committee of voluntarily relinquishing its power to the mayor when, in fact, the township's charter gives the governing body the power to make such decisions. "The residents of this township are speaking out," said Paul Mayerowitz. "We are letting you know loud and clear we want to be a part of the decision process. This impacts us in a manner (like) . . . no other decision that has ever been made." Mayerowitz said township residents up to now have been left in the dark about Seda's first aid plans. "The bottom line is that we don't have any details on how this program can be implemented, what it costs and how its actually going to improve (call) response time," Mayerowitz said. Seda did not attend last night's township meeting. Former Jackson mayor Mike Kafton questioned the committee's decision to approve a resolution earlier in the evening that authorizes the solicitation of a third-party billing service for ambulance services as setting the scene for Jackson's conversion to a paid first aid service.

"You've made a move tonight that pretty much sounds like you've made a decision regardless of what the mayor may or may not say," Kafton said. "Why would you take this action knowing, you just said yourself, that you don't have enough information about it," Kafton asked. "You're going ahead and spending the taxpayers' money to put a bid out there to find an (ambulance) service that you're not even sure will work yet." Since 2003 Jackson has contracted with Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Service Corp. (MONOC) to provide services everyday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has relied upon the volunteer squad from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. This summer Seda said Jackson might switch to a full-time municipal squad consisting of paid township employees because residents have complained about sluggish response times. The change would improve service and maybe even generate revenue, he said.

Seda has publicly said he would like to see a municipal squad working by November, but plans to use it only during the day and to keep the volunteer squad in place at night. Establishing a municipal squad would require outfitting two ambulances and probably would cost $200,000, Seda said. Residents, however, said Jackson's first aid problem doesn't lay with its daytime MONOC coverage, but with its evening volunteer squad, which this year has received several complaints of slow response time to first aid calls.

MONOC offers response to change in first aid unit
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
JACKSON - A representative of the MONOC paramedic service has responded to a plan put forth by Jackson officials to eliminate MONOC's Basic Life Support BLS) responses in town and to replace it with a municipally operated BLS unit. MONOC paramedics would continue to respond to Jackson and provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services on certain emergency calls. "We have never been notified by the town that they are interested in starting their own emergency medical services," said Jeff Behm, MONOC's vice president of operations. We have a copy of a resolution from the township that they had extended our contract through March, 2008 and that goes back to earlier this year." Behm said when MONOC came into Jackson it was for a five-year period. "There is no contract," he said. "It's strictly explained in a resolution and the parameters are explained in the Request for Proposal that we responded to and were awarded. That takes us through March 2008." Behm believes MONOC has served Jackson well for almost five years. "For anyone who is interested I've put together a fact sheet about MONOC serving in Jackson, how we got there, how it started, what we do, our services and all that," he said. "I also included our response times for 2004, 2005 and 2006, which are excellent. We have no record of any complaint from Jackson about anything about our service."

Behm said MONOC's correspondence with the township has been through a liaison, Jackson police Capt. David Newman. He said there has been no correspondence about any problems. Behm said he reached out to Mayor Mark Seda several times because he has heard things about the planned change in BLS service for several months. "We were kind of surprised [about what we heard] and we wanted to talk to the mayor about that," he said. Behm said it seemed as if Jackson officials were besmirching MONOC's name and he said that is not deserved. "We are required to have two ambulances in Jackson," he said. "One is at the Department of Public Works on Don Connor Boulevard and the other is at the firehouse on Kierych Memorial Drive and they are on from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week." Behm said several months ago there was a bus accident on East Commodore Boulevard in Jackson and MONOC handled 13 patients without help from any other town, he said. "We rolled eight ambulances to the scene including a helicopter, specifically our helicopter," he said. "And we assessed and handled all of those patients. That happens often. "If Jackson felt they needed a third ambulance [stationed in town] all they have to do is pick up the phone and say let's talk about a third ambulance, but they've never done that and I just can't put another ambulance up," he said.

Behm explained that MONOC performs two services in Jackson: BLS, which is covered by the two ambulances stationed in the municipality, and ALS, the paramedic service MONOC provides to every town in Monmouth and Ocean counties. "We have a certificate of need that is assigned to us by the Department of Health to provide paramedic services for no charge to the township," said Behm. "We are not subsidized by any federal, state or local affiliates. We simply provide that service based on the money we get from people's insurance and the money they (the people) pay us. It (the paramedic service) is a separate service." He said people pay only for the paramedic service and not for the BLS service that is in Jackson during the day. Unlike volunteer first aid squads, MONOC receives no contributions. Jackson, through the Township Council, pays MONOC $1,300 per year.

"I think the volunteers need the money because they have no other way to support themselves and I think $20,000 is extremely reasonable," said Behm. "We only ask them for $1,300 and what that $1,300 does is it allows us to continue servicing, it allows us to bill insurance companies and it allows us not, at the request of the town, to balance bill patients." Boehm said no patient in Jackson pays any money out of his own pocket for the BLS that MONOC provides in Jackson. However, patients do pay the balance, after insurance, for the ALS services given by the paramedics. "That's a different service which is not contracted with the town," he said. "The Department of Health has said MONOC will handle all paramedic needs in Monmouth and Ocean counties and we do that." Behm said the usual charge for paramedic services is about $1,400. "We don't always collect that much," he said. "It depends upon the patient's insurance company." Behm also noted that MONOC takes care of the maintenance for all of the ambulances it uses in Jackson. "I'm concerned as a taxpayer that this new municipal  operation will cost a lot of money," he said. "We (MONOC) are barely breaking even with our operation in Jackson."

Seniors Question Plan To Bring Changes To Town's First-Aid
By Keith Hagarty Tri Town News 9/28/07

Plans to create a paid, municipal first aid squad may be reality by Thanksgiving Day, according to Mayor Mark Seda, who is proposing a plan to hire professional emergency responders operating under the authority of the Jackson Police Department. Under the mayor's plan, a municipal emergency services unit would be formed to provide basic life support coverage from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a daily basis, with the Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad, providing coverage from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Currently, MONOC (The Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation) provides daytime emergency service to Jackson residents. Comprised of 19 hospitals throughout the state, the nonprofit agency provides basic life support services to municipalities throughout New Jersey and bills patients for its services.

Under the mayor's plan, the MONOC service would be eliminated, and instead a new community service officer would be created to oversee the new municipal emergency medical services program during daytime hours. Having the emergency responders under the auspice of the town would provide for greater control and action regarding response times, which have been an increasing complaint from residents, according to Seda. However, not all residents are convinced the plan is necessary. Following the mayor's recent presentation of the plan at senior communities of Westlake and Metedeconk Lakes, Paul Mayerwitz, of Cypress Lane, said he was left scratching his head. "The meeting, at least to me, raised a lot more questions than answers," Mayerwitz told the township council on Tuesday. "How are we replacing MONOC?" Mayerwitz asked. "Did we even investigate hiring

MONOC to augment the volunteers during the evening hours and provide basic life support? Doing that might be substantially cheaper, less expensive and more responsive to the residents of this community simply because cost for municipal pension and benefits is substantially higher." Seda was not in attendance at the meeting. Stan Goldman, of Spyglass Road, asked if the municipality decides to have its own first aid squad, where would the money come from to support the new service? "It's never been brought up before," said Goldman. "We've seen nothing on paper about this." With a growing number of senior communities, Goldman said the issue of emergency response has always been a top priority, as is the expense of having a township-based service.

"In your five adult communities, you have 10,000 people with an average age about 62- 63, growing older, and their need for quick response is maybe stronger than any of the other residents when it comes to life-saving emergencies," said Goldman. "I'm not saying young people don't get sick or have accidents, but anytime there's an incident at Westlake or any other of the adult communities when there's a long response time, and God forbid you lose somebody, it just puts more pressure on it." "We just want what's best," he said. "If MONOC works during the day, then leave it there."

However, Mayerwitz said his biggest concern revolves around the issue of basic life support versus advanced life support, such as for victims of heart attacks and strokes. "Under the current proposal put forth by the township, advanced life support services will still continue to be provided by MONOC, not the township," said Mayerwitz. "So we're concerned about response time in a life-threatening situation being at risk with this proposal. That concerns us because that's what this issue is all about: advanced life support."

"I had a neighbor who had a heart attack just this past week and MONOC responded, they saved him on the way to the hospital," he said. "But there was another neighbor of Westlake who waited 45 minutes for the advanced life support unit to show up. We almost lost him, and that's a problem." Mayerwitz said he and his neighbors would like to see the mayor present a proposed profit-loss statement for expenses and revenue that would be incurred under the plan, as well as a geographical-time analysis of those areas of town who utilize emergency response services the most and how response time would be affected. "I'd like to see it posted on the township Web site so we can all understand why we're doing this and what's going to happen," said Mayerwitz.

The council agreed, saying that while they did not have any such information about the mayor's plan with them at Tuesday night's meeting, they would request such information for review. The mayor's question and answer sessions with the senior communities were intended as a broad-based overview of the plan and not a detailed line item breakdown, according to the council. "Your concerns are well taken," Council President Ann Updegrave told Mayerwitz. "What we can do is ask the mayor to formulate some kind of report, like a mayor's report."

Updegrave said she would ask Seda to submit the report at either his monthly Meet The Mayor night at the Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library or at an upcoming council meeting. With the mayor expressing his desire for a November 15 implementation date, Mayerwitz believes the whole issue feels rushed. "If that's the deadline date, then there's going to be big problem," he said.