Bordentown Township's OK to privatize EMS upsets current staff; Bordentown city vote next

Carol Comegno, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·3 min read

BORDENTOWN TWP. −The Bordentown Township Committee is privatizing its shared EMS service with its city counterpart but the decision isn't sitting well with the men and women who rush to the community's aid in emergencies.

The outsourcing still needs final approval by Bordentown City, a partner in the shared EMS service led by the township. City council is scheduled to vote on a continued shared service agreement at its April 10 meeting.

An audience commotion erupted at the March 27 meeting following a unanimous vote by the five members to hire private contractor RWJBarnabas Health EMS.

EMTs and others in the crowd shouted, cried and berated commissioners over the decision, upset about potential job losses and arguing the committee was relying on flawed financial figures and projected savings without seeking input from current EMS staff.

Image: Bordentown Twp EMT Kate Brienza Comforted By City Resident Deirdre Ryan A sobbing EMT Kate Brienza welcomes a comforting hug from Deirdre Ryan at the prospect of losing her job after Bordentown Township Committee voted March 27 to disband local EMS in favor of privatizing the operation.
Image: Bordentown Twp EMT Kate Brienza Comforted By City Resident Deirdre Ryan A sobbing EMT Kate Brienza welcomes a comforting hug from Deirdre Ryan at the prospect of losing her job after Bordentown Township Committee voted March 27 to disband local EMS in favor of privatizing the operation.

Bordentown Township Administrator Michael Theokas said his investigation of local EMS costs concluded the shared service with Bordentown City operated at a deficit of $470,000 last year.

He estimated a "considerable savings of more than $100,000" with a three-year contract cost for Barnabas of $1.4 million though the committee can opt to sign a shorter, one-year contract.

"We trust in the information we have been given," Mayor Stephen Benowitz told the crowd of more than 75 in a brief statement before voting for the contract.

RWJ Barnabas was the only service provider to respond to the township request for proposals but was qualified, according to the township purchasing agent.

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Committeeman Bill Grayson said he heard the audience objections but had to consider "the majority of residents who didn't show up" at the March 27 meeting and acknowledged his vote would not bet taken lightly and would not please everyone. Three committee members never spoke before or after voting for the contract.

Several local and regional members of the International Firefighters Association spoke against privatization and urged the formation of a committee that would include EMT members to further study the issue, but the committee declined, choosing not to postpone the contract vote. The union also represents EMTs.

"Bordentown Township and Bordentown City have failed to do their due diligence in this matter and we request the township committee members vote against the resolution," said Gregory Swanson.

He and others also complained that numerous statements have been released by the township and by Bordentown City Commissioner Lynch but with very minimal data to back up the committee decision.

Jim Lyons, another union firefighter leader in South Jersey, said some towns have had to change private ambulance contractors because they could not deliver enough service. He also mentioned Voorhees, which dropped Virtua Health coverage and reverted to hiring township employees and absorbing likely higher costs.

Image: Audience Applauds Speakers At Bordentown Twp Meeting On EMS Privatization Vote Audience at the Bordentown Township meeting Monday night , March 27, 2023, applaud and wave signs as one of many speakers against hiring Robert Wood Johnson and Barnabas EMS to replace township EMS workers
Image: Audience Applauds Speakers At Bordentown Twp Meeting On EMS Privatization Vote Audience at the Bordentown Township meeting Monday night , March 27, 2023, applaud and wave signs as one of many speakers against hiring Robert Wood Johnson and Barnabas EMS to replace township EMS workers

Acting EMS supervisor Jennifer Koeller, both a paid EMT in the shared service for 16 years and a volunteer city firefighter for even longer, expressed "disgust" and "hurt" over the vote and the likely elimination of the township-run EMS when city council votes in less than two weeks.

Koeller said the committee displayed a lack of caring about the needs of local residents that she said can best be supplied by dedicated local EMTs who know the area and their residents.

Other EMTs said they fail to understand the size of the 2022 deficit considering there were more than 1,000 billable calls, roughly a similar number of calls in any recent year.

Provided Bordentown City gives its approval in April Theokas said the current 18 EMS employees — five full-time and 14 part-time — will be issued layoff notices according to New Jersey Civil Service guidelines. Some of those employees could be hired by the new contractor but none are guaranteed jobs.

"RWJ Barnabas EMS is required to at least offer the opportunity to interview them for positions in its organization and this has been made clear to the employees for some time. It is entirely possible that any current employee would have an opportunity to work for RWJBarnabas EMS," Theokas explained.

Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey life, history and military veterans for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. If you have a story to share, call her at 856-486-2473 or email  ccomegno@gannettnj.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Bordentown NJ: Township privatizes EMS, current staff upset