State-Of-The-Art Ambulance Boosts Howell Emergency Services

HOWELL, NJ — A state-of-the-art ambulance was recently delivered to the township, part of an upgrade to its emergency medical services response equipment.

The ambulance includes an air filtration system to adapt to COVID concerns and it is has bariatric capabilities, meaning it can transport a person weighing up to 750 pounds, the department said.

"We can serve every member of the community," said Emergency Medical Services Coordinator Peggy Doyle.

The township created a full time emergency medical services unit several years ago, operated through the police department, to meet increasing demand for calls, according to the police department website.

The ambulance was ordered in July 2021 before inflation hit the market. The cost was $230,000.

Doyle said it will last 12 to 14 years and she said if such a piece of equipment were to be ordered now, it would not be anywhere near as affordable - possibly out of reach for the township.

Doyle is a trained paramedic, including her emergency medicine degree at college, she said. The township emergency services department has 26 part-time and eight full-time responders, as well as one assistant, she said.

The EMS department is able to perform training, Doyle said, including training for first aid, police, emergency management staff and other township employees.

The service is 24/7, serving the northern part of the township, Doyle said.

"We're the black and white ambulance," Doyle said.

There are also volunteer squads and they all supplement and support each other, according to the police department website.

The ambulance is the newest of four in the fleet now, Doyle said.

The 2022 Ford F-550 XLT 7.3 V8 ambulance has an AEV Traumahawk patient compartment. It was custom designed and built by VCI Emergency Sales for the Howell Township Police EMS.

Features include:

• 4- and 5-point safety restraints for occupants and patients
• Stryker Powerload stretcher system
• UV AIR filtration disinfectant system built in to the patient compartment to provide added protection for occupants from airborne viruses and contaminants.
• rear compartment passenger restraint system has airbags built into the harness system for added protection
• liquid spring suspension for a smooth ride.

Howell Police Chief John Storrow thanked the Township Council for its support for the new equipment and singled out Doyle, who has been with the township since 2010: "Your diligence is valued and much appreciated. You are truly an asset to the residents of Howell," he said.