Bill would create a state medical director position, who would set training and hiring standards
View of the Assembly Chamber at the Statehouse.TRENTON — Three years after a report declared New Jersey’s emergency medical services to be in a "state of near crisis’’ because of declining volunteers and funds, an Assembly committee debated legislation today that would regulate the system some have called inefficient and lacking in accountability.
The bill creates a medical director’s position in the state’s health department to oversee the emergency medical services system. Advised by a board of experts, the director would set training and hiring standards for both paid and volunteer members, including requiring criminal background checks.
At least two emergency medical technicians would be required to ride in every ambulance, according to the legislation. Municipalities would be in charge of setting up basic life support services, while the state would be responsible for ensuring blanket coverage for advanced life support services.
Assembly Health Committee Chairman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), who also is a bill sponsor, said the patchwork of emergency responders provides inconsistent service.
"Home rule costs our state millions of dollars and is why it’s expensive to live here,’’ Conaway said.
Rescue squads also would be required for the first time to collect and share data on the calls they answer and services they render.
James Pruden, a veteran emergency room physician and past director of the state Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, said access to data means better planning.
"We don’t know how many heart attacks there have been in Hunterdon County or allergic reactions in Warren County,’’ he said.
But organizations representing emergency services volunteers said adding a layer of bureaucracy will bog down recruiting and training.
File photo of ambulances. A bill before an Assembly committee would regulate the state's EMS system. Howard Meyer of the New Jersey State First Aid Council predicted an 80-hour increase in annual training — from 110 hours to 190 hours — "will devastate the volunteers.’’ Past state efforts to organize training have been mishandled, putting dozens of volunteers on waiting lists, he noted.
Conaway said the bill beefs up the emergency medical services training fund by attaching a $5 fee, up from 50 cents, to traffic tickets so volunteers won’t have to pay the additional costs.
Jon Moran of the New Jersey League of Municipalities said he liked the idea of the bill but feared what it may cost communities to implement. Past governors and legislators have raided the training fund when other priorities have arisen, Moran said. He suggested the bill be changed to give towns "relief from these new standards if the fund is diverted’’ in the future.
The committee did not vote on the bill. Conaway said he plans to hold additional meetings and amend the legislation later in the year.