Quick response
Firefighters say new rescue squad making an impact in Washington Township
| By: Mark Moffa, Staff Writer | January 17, 2002 |
WASHINGTON — Residents next month will vote on a proposed 44 percent fire
district tax increase, attributable in large part to the Fire Department now
providing rescue service to the township.
Fire Commissioner Debbie Matson said the tax, currently at
16 cents per $100 of assessed property value, will increase 7 cents. She said
almost 5 cents of the increase is attributable to the new rescue squad.
"We think the public is aware the need was there for us
to provide this service for them," she said. "I just hope that the
residents of the township continue to support the fire district as they have
in the past. We're there to serve them."
Voters go to the polls Feb. 16. Last year, the department's
budget did not include a tax increase. If voters reject the budget, the
spending plan would be reviewed by the Township Committee. The committee would
not be required to cut the proposal, however.
If the proposal is approved, the owner of a house assessed
at the township average of $177,000 would pay $407.10 in fire taxes, an
increase of $123.90.
Fire officials say the positive effects of the rescue squad
already are being felt in Washington. Ambulance response times improved
tremendously this month since the Fire Department began providing the rescue
service Jan. 6.
Washington's department is paid, and on duty 24 hours a day
at the firehouse on Route 130 North. Previously, the township's rescue service
was provided by the Allentown First Aid Squad, an all-volunteer squad.
Washington Capt. David C. Horsnall said Allentown's response times averaged
between 10 and 15 minutes.
The Allentown first aid building, located on Waker Avenue,
is approximately five miles from the center of Robbinsville.
"We've drastically reduced the response times,"
Capt. Horsnall said. For the 25 ambulance calls received between Jan. 6 and
Monday, the department is averaging a response time of 3½ minutes, he said.
"It's phenomenal."
Allentown informed Washington early last year that it would
stop providing service to the township. Officials from the borough's squad
said it was having difficulty covering the township.
Washington hired eight new firefighters for the service. All
firefighters are certified emergency medical technicians. The new hires, who
will earn $33,260 this year, will rotate ambulance and firetruck duties with
the other 12 firefighters.
Five firefighters work each shift. Capt. Horsnall said three
firefighters work the firetruck, while two are for the ambulance. Both
vehicles respond to advanced life support and fire calls.
A new ambulance, a demonstration model, was purchased from
Wolfington Ambulance for $128,000 by the township. The township is leasing the
vehicle to the fire district for $5 a year.
The township already owned one ambulance. It was being
leased to Allentown, but is now with the township's Fire Department.
"We feel that this program will ensure a higher quality
of life in Washington Township," Capt. Horsnall said. "Everybody,
throughout their lives, at one time or another, will need emergency medical
service."
Capt. Horsnall said 42 applications were received for the
eight new spots. The new employees are: Lee Root of Ewing, Manny Iglesias of
Trenton, Steven Schnaudt of Florence, Eric Eitel of Ewing, Brendan O'Donnell
of Washington, Thierry Lemmerling of Princeton, Eric Kirby of West Windsor,
and Dennis Koch of Fairfield.
"I just really want everybody to know that in
Washington Township we feel we have the best available fire and emergency
medical service protection around," he said.
The crew from WZBN TV25 interviews Captain Horsnall for a story that aired on Thursday, January 17, 2002