By Laura French
TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey ambulance squad accused of running unlicensed vehicles and violating staffing requirements faces a potential $108,000 fine.
State Department of Health officials said Shamong EMS, which is part of the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company, ran 90 emergency calls using unlicensed vehicles between October 2018 and October 2019, and also ran ambulances with only one EMT on 36 days, according to the Courier Post. The DOH investigation was reportedly prompted by an anonymous complaint.
Under state rules, ambulances must be staffed with at least two EMTs, according to NJ DOH Assistant Commissioner Christopher Neuwirth, who detailed the alleged violations in a letter to Shamong EMS Chief Dave Taylor.
Indian Mills Fire Co. President Charles Bergin said the agency will consult with legal counsel before issuing any comment on the claims.
Shamong EMS is the third ambulance service to be fined for unlicensed vehicles and insufficient staff within the last five months.
In November 2019, Somerville Rescue Squad was fined $182,000 for three unlicensed ambulances that were used on emergency calls hundreds of times, as well as for having only one EMT on staff for 105 calls.
Earlier this year, Lanoka Harbor EMS was fined $617,000 for allegedly using unlicensed vehicles on 102 emergency calls, sending only one EMT on calls 529 times and sending noncertified personnel on calls 264 times.
Lanoka Harbor EMS disputed the allegations, claiming DOH representatives had assured them they were permitted to keep some of their vehicles unlicensed and staffed with one EMT and a CPR-certified driver.