NJ Senate Bill Would Raise Volunteer First Aid Funding

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey state Senate approved a bill on Monday that would let counties and municipalities increase annual funding for volunteer and rescue squads.

Sens. Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) and Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) sponsored the bill, S-399, which would give counties and municipalities the ability to increase the maximum amount they can contribute to a volunteer first aid, ambulance or rescue company. The Senate voted 7-2 to approve the bill.

Currently, the maximum annual funding is $70,000, and counties are allowed an additional $35,000 if there is an extraordinary need. The bill will increase the amounts to about $125,000 and $70,000, according to a statement.

The bill has yet to receive the support of the Assembly, which it needs in order to be passed on to Gov. Phil Murphy to sign into law.

“These organizations are essential assets for our communities, especially in suburban and rural areas,” Bucco said in a statement. “Unfortunately, many squads continue to experience a shortage of basic first aid equipment, and some cannot even maintain their ambulances.”

The goal of the bill was to ensure that first responders have the necessary equipment and training they need in hopes that membership will not decline, according to a NJ.com report.

“Bergen County, where I represent the 37th district, they have a lot of volunteer [emergency medical services], a lot of volunteer ambulance corps, a lot of volunteer fire departments so this is a way to give it a little bit more funding to recruit and to provide education about the ability to serve their community in this way will be a benefit,” Johnson told NJ.com. “It’s a matter of increasing funding because they need that increase and also to educate and show the members of the community and advertise that this is a service they could possibly get involved in.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local volunteer first aid, ambulance and rescue squads have struggled with funding. In 2020, Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps needed more funding after spending its initial $20,000 by April on disposable masks and suits for coronavirus calls, according to NJ.com.

“Thousands of dedicated EMTs and rescue specialists across this state put the needs of their neighbors above their own,” Bucco said in a statement. “It’s time to give them the funding they deserve.”