Taxpayers pay more with Fire-Rescue elimination

Mayor Ricigliano continues to distort the facts. In the March 16 edition of the Sentinel (“Mayor Presents Budget With Stable Tax Rate), Mrs. Ricigliano continues her lie that she is saving the taxpayers money by eliminating Fire-Rescue and replacing them with a per-diem EMS crew.

Under the mayor’s system, Edison taxpayers are paying more and getting less. Previously, four firefighters who were also statecertified EMTs staffed two Fire- Rescue units. These firefighters received an additional $2-$3 per hour stipend for their Fire-Rescue assignment. The firefighters, who are still members of the department, were available to fight fires and perform rescue operations (including motor vehicle extrications, high-angle rescues and trench collapses) in addition to responding to medical emergencies. Most of their salary was based on their being firefighters. Nobody was being paid $125,000 solely for EMT duties. The cost to Edison taxpayers for two 24/7 guaranteed emergency medical response units was about $24 an hour.

Now Edison residents are paying a per-diem crew over $36 per hour, and these EMTs are not qualified to fight fires or perform rescues. While spending more taxpayer money, Mayor Ricigliano reduced the town’s emergency medical response capabilities. Edison’s emergency medical response needs are now covered by a patchwork system of a limited number of full-time EMS crews that don’t work nights or weekends; volunteer groups that don’t always have adequate staffing and at times are unable to respond to calls; and a per-diem crew. Since eliminating Fire-Rescue, there have been numerous instances of delayed responses to medical emergencies and at times the township only having one, or in some cases no, ambulances available.

Ironically, while the mayor is constantly complaining about budget problems, Fire-Rescue turned a profit. In 2010, Fire-Rescue generated a $123,000 profit for the town from insurance company reimbursements.

Robert Yackel
President
Edison Fire Fighters Association