Montgomery Board of Health: EMS Call Data, Varicella Outbreak, Gas Station Demolition

By Nicholas Mistretta

Montgomery Township, March 12 – The Montgomery Township Board of Health received an important presentation from Montgomery EMS President Sidd Saran during their March 12 meeting. Saran provided an overview of EMS response data for 2024, highlighting key trends and insights about emergency medical services in the township.

With a population of approximately 23,000 residents, Montgomery EMS responded to 1,514 calls in 2024, representing a 1.7% compounded annual growth rate in call volume since 2018. However, Saran pointed out that when excluding calls from two major facilities—Stonebridge and Carrier Clinic—the growth rate rises to 4.3%. “why it rises I have no idea, I can only guess” Saran stated.

Montgomery EMS Calls Below National Average
Montgomery’s emergency call rate stands at 6.4 calls per 100 residents, or 5.4 per 100 when excluding Stonebridge and Carrier Clinic. This figure is significantly lower than the national average of 47 calls per 100 residents. One board member suggested that Montgomery’s socioeconomic status plays a major role, as the township is the wealthiest in Somerset County. Unlike less affluent communities, where EMS may be used for primary care, Montgomery EMS primarily responds to genuine emergencies.

Call Breakdown by Age and Cause
Saran provided an age-based analysis of emergency calls, with residents aged 75 and older generating the most calls (505 calls in 2024). This was significantly higher than the 147 calls for ages 1-17 and 179 for ages 65-74.

The most common reasons for 911 calls in 2024 were:
– Falls – 13.8% of calls
– Difficulty breathing – 10%
– Chest pain/cardiac issues – 9.2%
– Motor vehicle accidents – 5.1%

Call volume was highest in Montgomery’s high-density areas, with May, July, and December seeing the most calls. This differs from previous years when spring months had the highest call volume. However, a consistent trend remains: daytime calls outnumber nighttime calls nearly two to one. Board member Dr. Kerry Ann McGeary noted that last year, EMS data was used to address high levels of motor vehicle incidents. Officials engaged with residents and installed additional signage to improve safety in affected areas.

Texaco Station Demolition Update In other business, Health Officer Devangi Patel provided an update on the demolition of the Texaco station, which was carried out due to public safety concerns. The deteriorating structure posed a risk, especially as the surrounding population continues to grow.

Dr. McGeary also noted that studies have shown the negative mental health impact of living near such an abandoned site. Patel emphasized that the property owner was cooperative, and the demolition costs were covered privately.

Varicella Outbreak in Schools Contained The board also discussed a Varicella (chickenpox) outbreak in the Montgomery school system, which was limited to three unvaccinated individuals from the same family. Fortunately, there was no further spread within the school. The board debated the best way to inform families without causing panic, ensuring that exposure notifications are clear and educational.