Basking Ridge To Privatize Daytime Emergency First Aid Services

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township officials are in the process of privatizing emergency first aid services for the town during the day to alleviate the workload on volunteers, Mayor Carol Bianchi said.

The private contract services would be provided during the workday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help volunteers who cannot cover certain hours.

"This was determined by all to be necessary for the safety of our residents," Bianchi stated in her newsletter.

The township has already received request for proposals (RFPs) from Atlantic Health and RWJ Barnabas and are reviewing the proposals, said Pat Monaco, township administrator.

The selection process is expected to be completed this week followed by a presentation to be made before the township committee at the Sept. 24 meeting.

Whomever is chosen will work out of the town's Stonehouse facility with two to three ambulances there. Current volunteer services will continue to provide services the remaining times, Monaco said.

"First aid squads remain as is no change," Monaco said. "There is no desire to dismantle volunteer services."

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