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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1022
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 9:05 am: |     |
BY KATIE WANG
Star-Ledger Staff
The Maplewood Township Committee backed off last night from a plan to dismantle the volunteer first aid squad.
The cut was included in the proposed 2005 budget. But the idea was so unpopular that squad members spent the last few weeks gathering 920 signatures on a petition that asked township leaders to rethink the idea.
Squad members pleaded with the committee last night and got a 5-0 vote in their favor.
"I think the town made the right decision," said Bruce Mandel, 41, captain of the first aid squad. "I'm glad the spirit of volunteerism is not dead and hopefully we can use this as a strong boost for community support."
The 26-member squad handles calls from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and during the day on Sundays. The fire department handles emergency calls for the remainder of the week. Last year the squad handled about 400 calls.
The township provides about $5,000 annually for insurance and gasoline. But this year the committee considered eliminating the first aid squad and shifting its duties to the fire department, which bills people if they are called to handle first aid emergencies.
The township estimated it would receive $90,000 in additional revenue if the fire department handled those calls.
Fire Chief Wayne Crowell praised the first aid squad's work, but noted that the fire department sends about five firefighters and a fire engine or truck whenever it responds to emergency calls.
"We have a response time of three minutes or less," he said. "The paramedics do not have a response time like that."
At one point during the 90-minute discussion, Mayor Fred Profeta and committee member David Huemer clashed on whether Profeta switched his stance on the issue. Huemer accused Profeta, who is seeking re-election this year, of supporting the idea at a previous meeting and then backtracking.
Profeta denied that and the rest of the committee backed him.
After the committee agreed to keep the squad, it spent another 20 minutes discussing whether it could amend its budget immediately.
Huemer proposed an amendment to change the budget right away. Profeta said the committee should wait until other changes are made so all the work can be done at once.
The discussion irritated some of the 40 residents, who grew restless. "I would rather take a vote on this right now," said an angry Tamara Steckler, 45, whose son is a volunteer with the squad. "We want to see something more permanent than this promise."
Steckler urged the committee to vote immediately rather than wait.
After consulting with the township attorney to see if such an amendment was legal, the township voted to change its budget.
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Deidra
Citizen
Username: Deidralynn
Post Number: 161
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 10:47 am: | |
Hurray!...I am thrilled! I couldn't be there in person, but I hung on to every word watching it on CCN.
Thanks for posting the article. |
sms
Citizen
Username: Sooton
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 1:34 pm: | |
Thanks to all the supportors, volunteers and members of the Maplewood First Aid Squad for the time and effort they have put in to help out.
We look forward to continue serving each and everyone of you.
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 5503
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - 4:30 pm: | |
This is great news! |
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