Wednesday, April 6, 2016

LONG WAIT FOR CHILD'S AMBULANCE SPARKS DEMANDS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE REVIEW

Police and fire officials plan to review the procedures for emergency response following a recent incident in which an eight-year-old child suffering a seizure did not receive medical attention for 22 minutes.

Several residents raised the issue at Tuesday night's Township Committee meeting, citing what occurred on the afternoon of March 23 near Ridgewood Road and Ridgewood Terrace.

At that time, the child, a Marshall School student who had been brought home on a school bus, suffered a seizure, according to witnesses who recalled the incident for the TC.




After their concerns were heard, both Mayor Vic Deluca, who called it a "horrible situation," and Fire Chief Michael Dinglestedt offered concern and promises that the procedures would be reviewed.

Both cited the policy that directs 911 calls to local dispatchers and, if emergency crews from Maplewood are not available, mutual aid is called in from other towns. They said it was an unusual situation that so few would be available, but said it should not happen again.

See their comments below: