or the next week, your social media feeds will be filled with messages about EMS Week and honoring our profession. That’s a good thing.While it’s essential to bring attention to our work to the general public, there’s not a day that goes by that I, the board of directors, and the leadership don’t consider ourselves privileged to be surrounded by you, our NJ EMS Task Force family.

Two decades after a small group of us got together to discuss a vision for the NJ EMS Task Force, you all have made it a reality – a reality far beyond anything we envisioned at the time.

The organization has changed, grown, and evolved in ways none of us could have predicted when we began. Back then, we were focused on preparing for the big one — the next 9/11. Now, we are truly a full-scale, multi-dimensional emergency response organization that can handle anything, from floods and fires to pandemics and helping hospitals avoid evacuations by providing plans, people, and equipment to keep their doors open.

We’re ready for the big one, but we can, and we do a whole lot more.

This year, you have been tested in every way, and your drive, determination, and dependability have propelled us ahead every time. It has become clear that if grit were currency, we’d be billionaires.

We are committed to keeping the NJ EMS Task Force moving forward. The leadership team continues to fight for you and for sustainable funding to keep this mission alive and thriving. The people of this state depend on us being there when something bad happens. You can help, too. Reach out to your state legislators and let them know how important it is for them to fund this mission. You can reach them here: https://bit.ly/42SVhXI.

Day after day, year after year, you have all shown a focused commitment to give your time to help others as part of this team. You’ve sacrificed a lot to do that. You’ve given up time at home, time with your families, and time out of your life to make New Jersey a better, safer place.

For that, all of us in leadership here are incredibly grateful for all of you and for everything you do.

Happy EMS Week,

Mike Bascom,
State Leader / Non-Profit Chairman
New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Task Force

The organization, founded in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, consists of more than 200 career and volunteer EMS providers from 60 host agencies across the state who respond to large-scale disasters statewide. Since its founding, the NJEMSTF has been funded by donations, grants, and the New Jersey Department of Health.

The NJEMSTF launched as a mass casualty response team 21 years ago but rapidly expanded into developing statewide plans for evacuating healthcare facilities, supporting the NJ Forest Fire Service, coordinating EMS for the Super Bowl and a papal visit, distributing vaccines and tests during the COVID pandemic, and preparing for upcoming FIFA World Cup tournaments.

During 2024, Bascom said the team contributed more than 11,000 people hours across 420 critical responses and over 200 deployments. The team added over 50 new members, certified more than 260 Mental Health Resilience Officers, and rolled out Large Scale Incident Awareness training. He also said the NJEMSTF added 15 new physicians to the team and updated port security, passenger rail, and staging management plans.

“But despite the success, we are, quite frankly, fighting to survive,” Bascom told attendees. “The enemy? Not a person or a group, but the ever-slippery concept of sustainable funding. There’s plenty of support from the Department of Health and our legislators, but turning that support into long-term dollars? That’s where things have been tricky.”

Bascom said federal cuts are making the situation even more complex discussion to navigate. He said the NJEMSTF board, module managers, and a consultant are working hard to find funding.
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“What we do know is this: We remain the national model program,” Bascom said. “Other states are taking notes and working off our model to secure funding. This gives us hope for the future.”

Callahan praised the NJ EMS Task Force, saying it stands for renewal and hope.

“You know what people do around the country? They look to NJ, they look to the EMS Task Force, they look to OEM, they look to women and men, who put others before themselves,” Callahan said.

“If tomorrow, the most atrocious tragedy happens in the state of New Jersey, or around the world, you know who is going to raise their hand? Every single one of you in this room, including me,” Callahan said. “For the sustainability of this Task Force, personally and professionally, I will back that until I no longer have a breath to do that, and I trust that 30 years from now, we’ll be at this dinner, touting what we’ve done in the last 30 years because of you – and the women and men you pass that torch onto.”

Bascom told the team they were the best of the best.

“You are tested, trusted, and totally unflappable,” Bascom said. “You come from all different backgrounds, but share core traits – professionalism, dedication, loyalty, and an uncanny ability to be where you’re needed most, exactly when you’re needed.”