May 1, 2009

RE: Proposed Diversion of EMT Training Funds

Dear Mayor:
On April 23, 2009 the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) informed the New Jersey State First Aid Council of Governor Corzine’s intention to redirect $4,000,000 from the dedicated EMT Training Fund to the general treasury of the State of New Jersey, leaving only a proposed $400,000 balance in the Fund. A $400,000 balance in the EMT Training Fund is inadequate to meet the annual training needs of the Volunteer EMTs of this State and will result in severe cut-backs of state-paid EMT training for New Jersey’s EMS Volunteer Community.

The EMT Training Fund is not supported through the use of any tax money, but rather is supported by a $0.50 surcharge on each fine, penalty and forfeiture imposed and collected by the State of New Jersey for motor vehicle or traffic violations. The Fund is currently running at approximately a $ 1,000,000 deficit per year.

Please consider taking action on this, by adapting and adopting the Sample Resolution in Opposition to the Diversion, which you can access at http://www.njslom.org/EMT-Resolution.pdf

Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista, a Member of our Executive Board and Chairman of our Emergency Services and Volunteerism Committee, hopes to build a consensus in the Legislature for a restoration of this funding.

You should also see Mayor Chiarello’s article in the May edition of New Jersey Municipalities Magazine, “EMS – A Critical Update.”

If you have any questions on this, please contact Jon Moran at 609-695-3481, ext 121.

Very truly yours,

Hon. Chuck Chiarello                                                 William G. Dressel, Jr.
Mayor, Buena Vista, and                                            Executive Director
Member, Executive Board, NJLM and
Chairman, Emergency Services and
Volunteerism Committee