By Pei-Sze Cheng
WNBC - New York

HACKENSACK, N.Y. — Home-grown firehouse EMTs — that's what Hackensack emergency medical technicians call themselves with pride. The EMS squad has eight full time staff members, most of them have worked in the city for more than 20 years. But on August 1, all that will change.

The city of Hackensack has decided to hire a private company to run its ambulance service, dissolving the EMS squad for good. The city manager said it's a cost-saving measure that will save the city $600,000 in the first year and more than $3 million in five years.

The ambulance service will be provided by Hackensack University Medical Center and, according to the city, there will be no loss of coverage and residents won't have to pay any more money.

Full Story: EMTs say local knowledge of area is crucial