Lower’s Rescue Squad Chief Responds to Spouts

To the Editor: 
Recently, we have read some Spout Offs about us, and the Lower Township Rescue Squad feels that we must respond. The shame is that it takes more to correct a few words or sentences than just say that’s not true. 
First, if anyone has any complaints or issues with the Lower Township Rescue Squad, please call us and ask for an officer. We cannot correct a problem if we do not know of a problem.
All complaints are investigated, and appropriate action is taken. Our response times are documented and records kept. These times are reviewed.
Our paid staff is to be “responding” within one minute of receiving the dispatch to respond. Response times are difficult to explain, as there are emergency (red lights and sirens) and non-emergency responses.
Due to changes in N.J. state guidelines for the safety of the ambulance crews and the public, not all responses require red lights and sirens. Some may have noticed this when they see an ambulance being followed by the paramedic vehicle, and neither using lights or sirens.
Ambulance calls that are true non-emergencies, such as in medical assists are handled differently and we are sending an ambulance when one is available without lights and sirens.
We are audited every year by a third-party accounting firm. This is mandated by Medicare, and the Township of Lower.
A copy of our audit is on file with the Township of Lower, as is required. We are just completing our 2016 audit, and as soon as it is finalized, it will also be turned into the township, as it has for decades.
For those that have never participated in an audit, please understand that the accountants review all financial data. This will include reviewing all bank accounts, payroll, properties or equipment owned or purchased, loans, taxes, bills, while looking for fraud. In other words, all monies received and paid.
This is a time-consuming process, and they can review all financial files. We also have other types of reporting we have to do to federal and state agencies for finances, taxes, payroll, and responses.
Lower Township Rescue Squad has never been a township department. At one time, the township did employ EMTs, but all equipment, supplies, uniforms, ambulances, and buildings were owned and paid for by the rescue squad, not the township. Some may say this is just words, but the fact is that the rescue squad was separate from the township, just like it is in other towns now.
It seems there may be a few people that are not happy with us for whatever reason. They may have a legitimate complaint, or they may have a different motive.
We can understand people having a complaint, we cannot make everyone happy and we are not perfect, but let us know so we can correct any issues for the future. To just post something in Spout Off without actually trying to provide facts or remedy any issues is wrong.
We are here to serve the community. We have been doing it since 1950 and look forward to continue doing so in the future.
We will do everything we can to provide the best service we can to all residents and visitors in Lower Township. This means that sometimes we have to make changes and correct issues, and we do recognize that. If anyone has a complaint or issue with us, please contact us so we can make our service better for everyone.
ED. NOTE: Hart is chief of Lower Township Rescue Squad.