Hospital helps squad
in time of shortage
BY JOLENE HART
Staff Writer

SOUTH RIVER — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital may be a lifesaver for the borough’s rescue squad.

The borough has entered an agreement with the New Brunswick hospital for supplemental coverage of local emergency services that have been jeopardized by a shortage of volunteers.

Hospital vehicles are providing a backup means of emergency transport on a two-month, trial basis between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The agreement took effect May 17.

The main issue for the rescue squad is adequate response to emergency calls during the day, when less people are available to respond. The hospital’s additional coverage will come at a time that it is most needed in the borough.

"This is no fault of their own," said Mayor Robert Szegeti of the South River Rescue Squad, which regularly conducts recruitment and recently held an open house to attract members.

According to Szegeti, part of the problem is that there are more than 6,000 able volunteers in the borough that do not or cannot volunteer.

"I’ve always believed in the saying, ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ " Szegeti said. "And in this case, it’s true."

Szegeti stressed that residents should still call 911 to report an emergency.

Parties transported by the Robert Wood Johnson vehicles will have their insurance companies billed by the hospital. Szegeti said that this cost will be covered by insurance companies in most cases.

The mayor also plans to name a committee that will explore other options to address the shortage of volunteers at the rescue squad and look at the effectiveness of the Robert Wood Johnson coverage.

"We’re exploring several possibilities for more long-term coverage," said Szegeti. "This is a legal and moral obligation."