Montgomery Township EMS Squad Responds to Three Calls Within 30 Minutes—Again

By Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP – The Montgomery Township Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Squad faced a high-intensity challenge on January 29, responding to three emergency calls within a span of just 30 minutes. This marks the second time in about a month that the all-volunteer squad has handled such a demanding situation.

According to Squad President Sidd Saran, emergency calls came in at 11:12 a.m., 11:37 a.m., and 11:40 a.m., requiring the squad to activate its scrambling system to ensure all calls received a quick response.

“We have a dedicated primary crew on duty around the clock, consisting of a driver and two EMTs,” Saran explained. “When multiple calls come in at once, we rely on our backup crews, who are assembled using a scrambling system. Each member carries a radio or pager, and those available can commit to covering the additional emergencies as needed.”

The Montgomery Township EMS Squad, now in its 52nd year of operation, has four ambulances in addition to three first responder vehicles. It is entirely funded through donations, grants, and community fundraising efforts. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the squad is driven to further its critical mission of providing emergency medical services while balancing financial responsibility rather than maximizing shareholder returns. The squad must manage the escalating costs of vehicles, insurance, and supplies, just like any other business. It does so admirably without charging patients.

“We deeply appreciate the financial support from the community,” said Saran, who is in his third year as president. With a background in engineering and finance, he emphasizes the importance of both efficient management and dedicated service to the township.

In 2024 alone, the squad responded to 1,544 calls, averaging four to five calls per day. Despite this, there remains an urgent need for volunteers—especially during daytime hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., when volunteer time is limited.

Saran continues, “The squad currently boasts 110 members, including 12 cadets who, despite being under 18, are fully licensed state EMTs. Cadets are not state-licensed when they join. They have to go to EMT school and pass a certification exam. That’s when they become EMTs. They still undergo training internally and shadow an adult EMT until they reach 18. That’s when we decide whether they get promoted to operating without having to shadow an adult.”

“We’re all mission-driven volunteers. We’re always looking for more people to step up and serve the community,” Saran added.

Residents interested in volunteering or supporting the squad can learn more through Montgomery EMS’s official website or community outreach events. In a township where emergency calls can come fast and unexpectedly, having a strong and responsive EMS team remains a vital asset.

Contentious Debates Dominate Montgomery Township Board of Education Meeting

At Tuesday night’s Montgomery Township Board of Education meeting, the agenda was dominated by heated discussions over key policy decisions, culminating in split votes that highlighted divisions among members.

Debate Over Policy Vendor Switch

The most contentious issue centered on Action Agenda Item 3.12, which proposed designating the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) as the district’s policy and regulation service vendor, replacing Strauss Esmay Associates.

Board member Maria Spina interrupted the voting process to express concerns, stating that the board lacked a clear understanding of what NJSBA offers compared to Strauss Esmay. She noted that only a small percentage of the nearly 600 school districts in New Jersey currently use NJSBA’s services.

Board member Ania Jernigan, a member of the policy committee for two years, pushed back, highlighting what she sees as significant advantages of NJSBA. According to Jernigan, NJSBA provides user-friendly language that is easier for parents to understand, making policy updates less cumbersome. She criticized Strauss Esmay for mandating policies that may not align with the district’s needs and failing to differentiate between mandates and guidance.

“This isn’t new,” Jernigan said, referencing her ongoing updates to the board. “I’ve been working on this for two years. If it doesn’t work, we can switch back after a year. There’s really no downside.”

Spina countered, alleging she had repeatedly requested additional information from Jernigan but had not received it. She suggested forming an ad hoc committee to further study the issue, to which Jernigan stated she had already done so and that only Filak volunteered to join such a committee.

Superintendent Mary McLaughlin added perspective, noting her only experience has been with Strauss Esmay. She feels the legal information shared on a regular basis with her is valuable but “It’s tough to compare,” she said. “It’s like apples to oranges.”

Board member Dowling voiced skepticism about the NJSBA program, calling it “in its infancy” and urging caution. However, Jernigan emphasized the program’s growth and responsiveness, arguing it offers valuable opportunities for improvement.

Ultimately, the vote failed, with three members in favor (Jernigan, Filak, and Nargund), five opposed (Spina, Todd, Franco-Herman, Harris, and Wang), and one abstention (Dowling).

Committee Assignments Spark Tensions

Another contentious item was Action Agenda Item 3.13, addressing committee assignments. Board member Filak raised concerns over perceived conflicts of interest, questioning whether the appointments undermined public trust.

Reading from the New Jersey School Board Ethics Act, Filak argued that the assignments appeared to favor conflicted board members despite the availability of new members willing to serve. Board President Todd defended the process, stating that he and Spina had carefully vetted the assignments.

Filak persisted, stating, “You, as president, are the only one who can make these assignments. This creates the impression to the public that we as a board are compliant.” Todd acknowledged the comments but maintained that the assignments were appropriate.

The vote on the committee assignments passed 6-3, with Nargund, Filak, and Jernigan voting no to Harris on ACI (Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction) and no to Franco-Herman on OFF (Operations, Finance and Facilities).

The link to the meeting is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiNcrFiRQos