Vitale/Sweeney Legislation Revamping Nj’s Emergency Medical Services System Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, which would direct the State to develop support services for developmentally-disabled individuals living on their own or with a parent or guardian was unanimously approved by the Health Committee today.

“New Jersey has an obligation to provide assistance to families or individuals who are coping with developmental disabilities while treating the individuals with dignity and respect,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “This measure allows for a Statewide effort to expand self-directed support services for developmentally-disabled New Jerseyans who are living outside of the community residential setting. Living at home shouldn’t preclude an individual from receiving the services they’re entitled to that would maximize their developmental potential.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would revamp the emergency medical services system in New Jersey was approved yesterday by the full Senate.

“From decreasing response times to providing greater efficiency and reducing costs, this legislation will bring common-sense reforms to New Jersey’s emergency care,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “By centralizing oversight and review of EMS services and personnel, the state will gain a better understanding of where we might need to shift resources and attention to ensure quality emergency transport care for all New Jerseyans, which in turn, could be critical to saving someone’s life.”

“Having one unanswered 9-1-1 call in the state is one too many,” said Senate President Sweeney, D- Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Prior to centralizing EMS services in Gloucester County, unanswered calls topped 800 in one year. That is simply unacceptable. Now we have response times that are lower than the national average. With this legislation, we can bring this type of quality and efficient care to all communities in the Garden State.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would revamp the emergency medical services system in New Jersey today passed the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

“When we are dealing with something as critical as emergency services, we have to ensure that they are being provided in the most efficient manner possible. By placing one statewide agency in charge of emergency services, we will be able to directly impact life-saving issues such as response time, availability of services and the kinds of services that are provided,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee.

“Eliminating redundancies in the way we perform emergency services can dramatically decrease the amount of time it takes personnel to get to the scene,” said Senate President Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem. “After consolidating emergency services in Gloucester County and creating a uniform system of oversight, we now have response times that are lower than the national average. By having DHSS oversee emergency care statewide, we can bring similar efficiency to all communities in New Jersey.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would revamp the emergency medical services system in New Jersey was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee yesterday.

“Efficient and prompt emergency and pre-hospital care is critical to saving New Jerseyans’ lives when they are in crisis,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “Placing one statewide agency in charge of emergency services is the first step to improving this care. This legislation will directly impact response times, availability of services and quality of care for residents throughout the Garden State.”

“By consolidating EMS services in Gloucester County, we dramatically decreased response times to lower than the national average, which equates to saving people’s lives, while reducing the overall costs of emergency services and streamlining bureaucracy. We can bring this same common-sense approach and efficiency to all communities in New Jersey by having one agency oversee emergency services throughout the state,” said Senate President Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem.