POLICE EMS UNITS

[swemt]

Hello

Guys when and why did the Police start there own EMS units . I see Brick, Tom River, Howell township are just a few. Are there still volunteer services in that area or are the police units taking their calls.

Scott

 

[K2NEC]

Volunteering is at an all time low. Paid departments train their people as EMTs and get ambulances to cover calls for service when volunteers dont show up. Doesn't really matter whats printed on the side of the ambulance, you're still getting the same level of care as any other ambulance in the state

 

[murse_joe]

Most of the time it's just tradition. In some places EMS was originally under fire departments or police departments. Those areas have had police EMS for a while. Volunteering is low but few local police departments want to run an ambulance. As county based EMS is taking off, some are under the Sheriff like Passaic or Monmouth county.