Mayor Tony Perry Does it Right
Tale Middletown Mayor Tony Perry has done it again. Not just talking about the Welcome to Middletown banner that will be going up on the Route 36 overpass by NWS Earle’s Leonardo pier in a few days, though that will be a most welcome site to crew members as they come aboard the township from the USS New Jersey.
But the mayor’s explanation of that sensational incentive program for volunteers on fire and first aid squads should become a standard in every municipality in New Jersey.
One of Middletown’s chiefs, Kevin Morrissey said it best when he reminded all the local leaders who were at the ceremony at the Navesink Fire House, it’s the economic element that makes it so hard for men and women to volunteer these days.
It’s a huge commitment to volunteer as either an EMT or firefighter, he pointed out, for the hours it takes to get through all the training in the first place. With so many families having to have both parents working just to keep up with today’s economy, there is so much less time and probably energy to dedicate to getting up at all hours of the day or night, leave your kid’s football game or dance practice and rush out to help someone in immediate need.
Having incentives that help a family pay their taxes or help finance their commute to the city might be the key to ensuring that younger generations keep stepping up to the plate to do volunteer goodness.
The mayor and deputy mayor’s words were well received and appreciated by every volunteer and every family who knows what all those volunteer hours cost them in time, energy, and personal cost.
It’s a different situation in Atlantic Highlands, where Chief Lance Hubeny has worked really hard for a couple of years and as a result has a hard-working group of volunteers for EMT service; and every one of those volunteers has already proven how much they are doing and continue to do as a team.
Yet the borough still hasn’t done away with that $90,000 a year paid service company and put their trust in the volunteers who have, once again, proven they can do it.
Let’s hope that happens soon not only to show trust in the volunteers (and save $90,000 in tax dollars) but also to help the person needing those services.
That $90,000 a year service doesn’t respond to calls without charging the person in need of that trip to the hospital; they’re billed for the service, unlike the volunteer squad, whether their insurance covers it or not. Volunteer first aid men and women don’t charge for the service of helping their neighbor.
Let’s hope Mayor Perry’s great idea spreads throughout all the small towns in New Jersey.
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GREAT COMPARISON. WHY KEEP PAYING A PROFIT MAKING COMPANY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE COSTING WITH INSIURANCE $250 TO RIDE FROM ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS TO RED BANK? COME UP WITH A PLAN TO ADD INCENTIVE TO OUR OWN SERVICES WITH THE MONEY SAVED.
I am one of the unlucky few (I hope)who was in a dire emergency situation in my home at 7 AM when NO One from Atlantic Highlands first air responded The Atlantic Highlands Police offer who responded ( and later became chief) left as soon as the paid service arrived He stayed in his car while the paid staff staff stayed with me and
waited until the Leonardo ambulance showed up
So I would not be charged. Although this was 20 years ago and I know that the present volunteer service has improved greatly I would not want to see lives be lost to save $90000 for the borough