Volunteer Crisis Causes Liberty Corner First Aid Squad To Cease Operations After 57 Years

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — After serving the Bernards Township community for almost 60 years, the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad will cease operations in just over one week.

The decision was made "due to increased call volumes, coupled with all-volunteer staffing issues," according to a resolution the Bernards Township Committee passed at its Tuesday night meeting.

The first aid squad, established in 1965, notified the township on Aug. 5 that they were facing "a critical EMT staffing crisis, a crisis shared on a state and national level."

As a result, the squad made the decision to cease EMS operations in Bernards Township effective midnight on Monday, Sept. 5.

"I really would like to thank them for their honorable service to our community. I appreciate all the love and care day in and day out they gave to this community," said Committeewoman Janice Fields. "It's hard to have to say goodbye after all these years of service to our community. I think every one of us is severely touched by this."

The resolution unanimously passed by the township committee on Tuesday essentially allows the modification of hours to Atlantic Ambulance Corp. of Livingston. The township had initially awarded a contract to Atlantic Ambulance Corp. in September 2019 for limited hours.

This resolution would expand Atlantic Ambulance's services into the Liberty Corner section of the township where they will operate 24/7. Additionally, Atlantic Ambulance will continue to operate on nights and weekends in the Basking Ridge area (which is currently the existing hours), according to Township Administrator Pat Monaco.

Mayor James Baldassare Jr. noted how the first aid squad had always been there for residents.

"We sincerely appreciate every single one of the volunteers over the years who have selflessly stepped up and definitely made a difference in a lot of lives over the years," said Baldassare Jr.

A request for comment from Liberty Corner First Aid Squad was not immediately returned.

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