PRESS RELEASE

FOR: Immediate Release                                                          MEDIA CONTACT: Steven Weiss
DATE: February 7, 2012                                                                    NUMBER: 732-205-1449

JFK Medical Center Now Provides EMS Services to the Borough of Metuchen

Edison- The Borough of Metuchen has awarded JFK Medical Center a three year contract to provide 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) to the residents of Metuchen during daytime hours six days per week to supplement coverage provided by the volunteer Metuchen First Aid Squad.  JFK EMS began servicing the Borough on February 6, and will operate from 5 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday. 

Metuchen Borough Mayor Thomas Vahalla said “We are so pleased to have JFK Medical Center’s EMTs on the road in Metuchen to provide a dedicated ambulance to residents and visitors during the hours that our volunteer EMTs are at work or occupied with other obligations.” 

Mayor Vahalla went on to comment “JFK EMS’s first 911 call in Metuchen in February 6 proved a great example of the value that I expect this service to provide to the Borough for years to come.  A resident called 911, and the JFK ambulance arrived at the scene within seconds to provide life-saving care.  The EMT’s prompt response made it possible for a Metuchen Police officer, who was also dispatched to the call, to be redirected to a public safety call.  This example shows that JFK EMS will not only save lives, but it can reduce the burden on our other first responders, including the Police and Fire Departments.”

Until recently, daytime EMS services in Metuchen were provided under mutual aid agreements with Edison, Woodbridge and other area municipalities when the Metuchen Rescue Squad was unable to provide EMS coverage. 

“JFK’s emergency responders have a reputation for excellence in the Metuchen community.  The JFK Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has provided Advanced Life Support in the Borough for 29 years, and we are very excited to expand our reach even further into the community” explains Ray Fredericks, President and CEO of JFK Medical Center.

JFK Medical Center is the largest provider of emergency health care to the Metuchen Community. It has been recognized and rated by HealthGrades as the #1 hospital in the state of New Jersey for stroke care for 10 years in a row and in the Top 100 hospitals for stroke care in the nation.