Government should leave training fund alone

The volunteer EMS community understands this difficult economy requires serious belt tightening. Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to redirect $4 million from the emergency medical technician training fund to the general fund however, would only make things worse, especially on the local level.

The New Jersey Legislature established the fund in 1995 to cover the cost of training volunteer EMTs, as well as mandatory continuing education units (CEUs) needed for recertification. The program is funded through a 50- cent surcharge on all moving violations. No taxpayer money is involved.

Success of the governor's plan would mean catastrophe for the volunteer EMS community — and serious hardship for the municipalities it now serves. EMS volunteers would have to pay for the privilege of donating their time and services.

The hundreds of municipalities now relying on EMS volunteers to answer 911 calls likely would see not only a further drop in already decreasing volunteer rolls, but an increase in taxes to fund part- or full-time paid EMS services. In addition, patients who currently are transported free of charge to the hospital by volunteers would have to foot at least part of the ambulance ride bill when paid services step in.

The governor's plan would jeopardize the financial stability of the state's approximately 400 volunteer first aid and rescue squads. The 80-year-old nonprofit New Jersey State First Aid Council — which represents more than 20,000 EMS volunteers affiliated with 365 of those squads — relies on the fund for solvency.

We urge readers to contact their local and state representatives. Tell them to leave the EMT training fund alone. For more information, visit www.njsfac.org/ trainingfund.shtml.
Sue Van Orden
Lincoln Park
President
New Jersey State First Aid
Council