The Township Committee on Tuesday approved resolutions officially ending the Maplewood First Aid Squad lease and approving a new agreement with the South Orange Rescue Squad.
Those votes were 4-0, with TC member Greg Lembrich absent. Details on fees to be paid were unavailable.
Under the new agreement, the SORS will be the first back-up entity for Maplewood at times when the Maplewood Fire Department cannot provide ambulance service.
Since September 2014, the Maplewood First Aid Squad has been unable to provide consistent ambulance response, according to the resolutions, responding to just nine calls since that time.
The South Orange Rescue Squad, however, has responded to 570 Maplewood calls since 2014, including 85 so far this year. But SORS has not always been the official back-up entity. This agreement means they will be the first choice when Maplewood options are unavailable.
It also gives SORS the option to utilize the former Maplewood First Aid Squad building on Boyden Avenue.
In a related move, the Township Committee also approved plans for Avalon Bay -- the developers building the 235-unit apartment complex at Boyden and Springfield avenues -- to lease space at the former Maplewood First Aid Squad building. The TC directed Township Attorney Roger Desiderio to negotiate for a lease that would include improvements to the first aid squad site.
3 comments:
Great memories of Maplewood First Aid Squad, which is where I got my start, which has continued the rest of my lifetime. SORS, who was at the time, barely afloat, has done a remarkable job at rebuilding their organization, so good choice. Thanks to all who have and continue to serve Maplewood, my home town.
I started at MFAS in 1985 and continued for many years. It was a great place to volunteer and will never forget the people and friends I made while I was there. It is a sad day but kudos to the South Orange Rescue Squad for the endurance throughout the years. Good luck.
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