MIDDLE TOWNSHIP – The Ambulance Corps needs a hand: It says it may not be able to survive without a significant financial boost from the township.
Debra Rue, president of the Middle Township Ambulance Corps, presented the funds appeal to the Township Committee at its meeting March 3. Rue said the county’s last remaining all-volunteer ambulance company cannot continue without a significant infusion of funds from the township.
The organization’s $125,000 annual budget is not achievable through donations alone, Rue said, and asked the township to provide financial support for the organization to the tune of $80,000 a year.
“We then have a chance to make up the rest through donations,” she added.
Mayor Chris Leusner said the volunteer company was “important to the community,” but he did not see that level of financial support from the township as likely.
Leusner spoke of needing to balance many variables to keep the township tax rate manageable to residents and to stay within the state’s annual budget spending cap. “$80,000 is a significant amount in our budget,” he added.
The township has been adjusting expenses for EMS response since the pandemic; expenses led to the closing of the township’s paid EMS department. A contract with Inspira in 2022 initiated the outsourcing of the function, which is now performed by AtlantiCare.
Leusner said the township pays AtlantiCare $88,000 a year for two ambulances covering the township 24/7 and a third in the summer season, when need is higher. AtlantiCare can supplement its revenue by charging patients and their insurance coverage.
The Middle Ambulance Corps cannot charge for its services and is thus more dependent on financial support from the township and other organizations. The Corps did benefit from a financial arrangement with Inspira, but AtlantiCare has shown no interest in helping to support the volunteer company.
Prior to the reorganization of EMS services, the township also had the support of a second volunteer EMS organization, the Rio Grande Rescue Squad. That organization has since closed, and a number of its volunteers are now part of the Middle Township Ambulance Corps, Rue said. She said the Corps has 39 active members: 20 EMTs and 19 first responders. It has operated since 1958.
Leusner said the township does what it can by allowing the Corps to join its insurance coverage for cheaper rates and helping with fuel purchases. Rue said the Corps was grateful, but without a sizable cash contribution from the township the company simply may not survive.
A social media plea was released by the organization, seeking to build public support for a township contribution.
Leusner said the door is not closed on this discussion. The township is working on its 2025 budget now. However, he held out little hope that the township would be able to balance its requirements with the taxpayers and still provide a sizable contribution to the Corps.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
