From the MullicaTownship.org — The Mullica Rescue Squad recently informed the Township that they will no longer be providing ambulance services for the community effective December 15, 2008. Hammonton Rescue Squad will be providing Emergency Medical Services full-time for Mullica Township residents beginning on that date. Since 2003, Hammonton Rescue Squad has been providing services during the daytime for Mullica. This new arrangement will be for 24-hour service. Mullica residents will not experience any interruption in service.

During the past few years the Governing Body has been reviewing how Emergency Medical Services are provided to our residents. Mullica faces same financial pressures experienced by every other organization and governmental agency in the State. Our expenses are increasing, our revenues are declining, and the State of New Jersey continues to cut funding, particularly to smaller communities. We have considered merging services with our neighbors or contracting for services. This effort was made both to save money and to improve the equipment and facilities for our volunteers. The possibility of housing the ambulance in one of our existing four fire houses was also explored, which would have saved a significant amount of money on building expenses, insurance, operating and maintenance. The Rescue Squad did not consider this to be a feasible option.

During this past summer, meetings were held with the members of the Egg Harbor City Council and the EHC Rescue Squad about combining resources. Egg Harbor City needed more volunteers; we needed new equipment and facilities. Mullica had qualified EMTs, and EHC had new ambulances and an existing facility. Talks broke down after the Mullica Rescue Squad stated their opposition to the merger; in light of that opposition, Egg Harbor City chose to go in another direction.

We value our volunteers, and are mindful of the burden placed on them. The training and certification requirements are onerous, and require a significant time commitment. Mullica has been very fortunate in our ability to attract volunteers. Our Fire Companies are very strong, but we are still being affected by the lack of available volunteers for daytime coverage – a situation faced by most volunteer safety organizations in the State. With significant potential costs to replace our aging ambulances as well as the need for permanent facilities, we were at a crossroads. We needed to explore all of options for the good of the entire community before making this investment. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to determine that we were allocating the taxpayers’ scarce resources. We had not yet come to a conclusion when we received notice that the Rescue Squad would be disbanding.

It is with regret that we inform you of this sudden dissolution of our Rescue Squad. Rest assured, you will continue to receive uninterrupted Emergency Medical Services, and we will continue to explore all possible avenues to provide these services in the most cost effective, efficient manner.