Tensions Rise In Basking Ridge: Rescue Squad, Township At Odds

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A lawsuit is brewing between Bernards Township and the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad(LCFAS) after the squad ceased operations last month. Both sides are speaking out to Patch about the growing tensions ahead of Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

LCFAS Past President and Captain Fred Miller said it appears the squad and its volunteers are "being pushed out."

"We faithfully served free ambulance service to the township for 57 years including 20 months anwering COVID calls and we just want to a chance to rebuild," said LCFAS President Dave "Phil" Lai-Len.

Lai-Len is calling on residents to come out and support the squad at the Tuesday night Township Committee meeting where a resolution will be voted on to authorize the "Township Attorney to pursue litigation, and all other means, against LCFAS."

The litigation came about after the all-volunteer rescue squad was having trouble getting volunteers to cover the 24/7 coverage needed for the township.

Over the summer, Lai-Len said the squad asked Bernards Township Committeewoman Janice Fields if they could cut down their coverage shifts. The uncovered shifts would be picked up by another squad while LCFAS had a "chance to rebuild " themselves.

"She told us unless we could do it 24/7, it was unacceptable," said Lai-Len.

Fields said it wasn't as cut and dry. She said the squad has been having issues for at least three years in recruiting members. They went from a full-time shift to what she called "part-time" to wanting to cut it down even further.

"I went to my colleagues to ask and we all said no. We can't do that to the town," said Fields. "All along they have been having problems. If we give in to only three shifts and then what if they come back and say they can't handle three?"

Fields said the committee was very upset about the decision but said it was not fair when it came to residents' safety in case the squad couldn't cover a shift.

"We couldn't take that leap of faith. Not when it comes to safety of the community," said Fields.

Lai-Len emphazied that the squad just needed more time.

"We are just trying to rebuild. We are just asking for a chance," said Lai-Len.

Miller added that the squad had a "bunch of new members and students from Ridge" who were interested in joining. But they didn't get the chance to start.

The squad would need around 20 members to cover their full 24/7 shift and currently have 7 EMTs with a few other driving only, said Miller.

A decision was eventually made to cease EMS operations in Bernards Township effective midnight on Sept. 5 "due to increased call volumes, coupled with all-volunteer staffing issues." Read More: Liberty Corner First Aid Squad Halts Operation After 57 Years

The situation came to a head in mid-September when the township came in to get a list of all the squad's assets such as its land, building, vehicles, equipment and funds.

The township was referred to the squad's attorney.

Baldassare said the squad intended to not return the funds to the township and instead donate equipment to other municipalities and make internatinal donations.

"We can not sit back, and in good concisious, allow this when we are charged with the safety and wellbeing of the township residents," said Baldassare.

"They are under the impression they can use the remaining assets for whatever they want," Baldassare continued. "Our positon is all of those assets accumuliated are for a specific use - for EMS services for township residents."

Lai-Len said a number of people in the community have already reached out in support of the squad and started writing letters to the township.

"They contributed the money to the first aid squad and rely on our discretion on how to use it. They didn't donate the money to the township," said Lai-Len.

Fields said this lawsuit is the committee's way of "fighting for the tax dollars that went into the squad."

"We're fighting for our residents. We gave them an option to put the money in a trust fund only to be used for emergency services and they said 'No, speak to our lawyer.' And they were going to keep it for themselves and spend it how they saw fit," said Fields.

Lai-Len said he has started making lawn signs and hats for those in support of the LCFAS. Those looking for a lawnsign can email president@lcfas.org.

The Township Committee meeting will be held on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge. The meeting will be live streamed and can be found by clicking on the "Watch a Meeting Live" icon on the home page, bernards.org and can also be viewed live on Optimum/Cablevision TV -Channel 15 and Verizon FiOS TV - Channel 35.

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