The NJEMSTF deployed four Medical Ambulance Buses, support staff, and planners to the facility shortly after 1:30 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025. The Montgomeryville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was forced to evacuate after a water main broke, flooding the facility.

The Montgomery County EMS coordinator requested help from the NJEMSTF.
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The facility needed to move 144 patients to regional skilled nursing and hospital locations, so it requested the NJ EMS Task Force’s fleet of Medical Ambulance Buses, which can transport and care for multiple patients in wheelchairs simultaneously. NJ EMS Task Force MABs stationed in Keyport, AtlantiCare, North Brunswick, and Ewing responded to the incident. Additional units in the NJEMSTF MAB response were available if needed. The NJ EMS Task Force Medical Ambulance Buses transported 29 people to five facilities.

​EMS and fire officials from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania gathered on January 16, 2025, for the first Regional EMS Task Force Preparedness Group meeting of the new year. The group discussed current EMS issues, potential threats, and preliminary plans for massive soccer events in the region over the next two years.
 
“It’s important to know the people you’ll work with,” said meeting organizer Henry Cortacans, a state planner with the New Jersey EMS Task Force. “Having this meeting is super important. This group here has the best EMS professionals in the country. We have the most experience.”
 
Some 61 professionals from the region, including the FDNY, the NJ EMS Task Force, NJ Transit, Yonkers (NY) Police Department, New York City Emergency Management, the FBI, NJSEA EMS, the Philadelphia Fire Department, and others, shared best practices and updated the group on preparedness plans in place now and what will need updating. The meeting was held at the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management in Kearny, NJ

Michael Bascom, one of the founding members of the NJ EMS Task Force and president of the non-profit board, was honored with the H. Mickey McCabe Leadership Advocacy Award during a ceremony at the National Conference on EMS in Atlantic City. 

The award, named after the late Mickey McCabe, one of the four co-founders of the statewide EMS organization, recognizes people who have demonstrated continuous advocacy and leadership that have improved patient care and the overall impact of EMS.

​“Michael’s work to improve the field of EMS has touched every corner of New Jersey – and beyond,” said Jennifer McCarthy, board member and vice president of the NJEMSTF. “His professionalism is exemplary. He drives quality initiatives and fosters innovative practices. His career reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing EMS and enhancing emergency services.”

The scenario was horrific: midway through a concert performance by the popular group The Bascom 5 at Stockton University, a section of bleachers collapsed, injuring dozens of attendees. The good news is it wasn’t real. Planners at the New Jersey EMS Task Force dreamed up the tragic scene as the centerpiece of a full-scale exercise with the University, Atlantic County OEM, and AtlantiCare, the region’s healthcare system, to test their ability to respond to such a disaster.

The “collapse” was the focus of a three-day drill for the NJ EMS Task Force (Oct. 25-27), which included 116 team members and more than 34 specialized response vehicles, including Medical Ambulance Buses, stagging trailers, mass casualty response trucks, and special operations vehicles.

“This event is important to the team; it gives us the opportunity to work together and reinforces the need for a team like this,” said Mike Bascom, president of the NJ EMS Task Force.

Michael Bascom, president of the New Jersey EMS Task Force, challenged team members to “embrace the opportunities that lie ahead and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in emergency medical services” during the organization’s annual meeting on Monday, May 13.
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The meeting at the Hamilton Fire House in Neptune, NJ, kicked off the organization’s 20th-anniversary celebration.

“In 2024,” Bascom said, “we will focus our efforts on team building, preparing for the future by building depth and future leaders, by replacing aging equipment, strengthening and expanding our capabilities, developing our new members, and rebuilding the physician module with a focus on more expansive collaboration between our physicians, planners, leaders, and team members.”

The annual event featured speeches by NJ Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kaitlan Baston and Assistant Commissioner Dana Johnson, NJ State Senator Declan O’Scanlon Jr., and an inspiring presentation on a systematic EMS change by Dr. Rachel Haroz of Cooper University Health Care.

Dr. Baston recalled an incident in 2023 when the NJ EMS Task Force responded to evacuate a long-term care facility. She called near the end of the incident to thank the team.

“I said thank you so much,” Baston said. “The response was, ‘Okay, mam, this is what we do. This is just what we do. We’re here for you.’ And the energy, and the ‘that’s what we do’ on the other line, I will never forget that moment … Those are heroes’ words. Those are the words you hear when you’re just doing your daily job. And that daily job is saving people, and saving lives, and helping me sleep at night knowing you are all out there.”

In 2023, Bascom noted that NJ EMS Task Force members dedicated more than 10,000 hours and responded to 111 emergency incidents statewide. The organization’s roster returned to 250+ members, and the state-supported it with more than $1.8 million.

“We want you to know we value everything you do, and we’re with you in this endeavor,” said Dana Johnson, assistant commissioner of the NJ Department of Health. “The Task Force has aided coalition members and partners by supporting evacuations, patient transfers, and providing incident management for many, many disasters. Overall, the NJ Department of Health is so grateful for the EMS Task Force’s invaluable support that helps us bolster the State’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Thank you for making us successful in New Jersey.”

“2023 was a pivotal year for our team,” Bascom said. “We’ve faced challenges head-on. We’ve adapted and transformed the way we respond, the way we work, and the way we serve our world.”

Bascom noted the strength and diversity of the team.

“Our knowledge base is second to none. Together, we responded to wildfires, medical facility evacuations, and ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities, supported major events, and deployed assets to support the United National General Assembly,” he said. “I can assure you that responding to ransomware attacks was not discussed in any of the founder’s meetings. But I’m honored to say that when a hospital chain in the area was hit with a ransomware attack, they turned to us for help.”

Conversations about what a collaborative EMS force would look like began before the 9/11 terrorist attacks but became a reality after the tragedy. The founders envisioned a system to unite emergency medical professionals across New Jersey to respond to crises efficiently and with expertise. Since its inception, the New Jersey EMS Task Force has been at the forefront of emergency response, tackling challenges with resilience and adaptability. From natural disasters to public health crises, from mass casualty incidents to acts of terrorism, we have stood ready to serve, providing critical care and support when it is needed most.

Bascom said the most important part of the organization is its people. He said the focus 2024 is training future leaders through educational opportunities and training sessions to give people with limited experience time in leadership roles.

“Behind every successful mission, there are countless individuals whose dedication and sacrifice make it possible,” Bascom said. “To the men and women of the NJEMSTF, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your selflessness and courage inspire us all, and your unwavering commitment to saving lives is a testament to the noblest ideals of our profession.”

Dr. Baston also noted the ongoing changes in the field of pre-hospital care.

“It’s a field that needs new ideas infused into the workforce; it needs career pathing. It needs longevity. It needs new ways to invigorate you,” she said.  

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She noted the changing types of emergencies EMS providers face every day, including mental health, substance use disorders or addiction, and people suffering alone all too often.

“It’s not just medical information and preparedness we all have to have every day to be prepared for the field. It’s emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with someone who is in mental crisis,” Baston said. “And an ability to deescalate a situation that’s escalating. It’s all these new skills that we have to hone together in order to really still be that safety net that person our neighbors are depending on. We have to be there when it's their kid who is in crisis. It’s their nephew who just overdosed. It's your neighbor’s daughter struggling out there in the field. That’s what we have to be ready for.  And I’ll tell you, if we think outside the box enough, we can get the next generation ready. And we can all be there to get them ready to serve, not just the big emergencies coming our way, but the day-to-day things that people are struggling with.”

Bascom said the NJ EMS Task Force members faced an ever-changing EMS landscape.
“Looking ahead, we must remain vigilant in the face of emerging threats and evolving challenges,” Bascom said. “The world around us is constantly changing, and our ability to adapt and innovate will be critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of those we serve.”

The NJ EMS Task Force participated in a drill by the New Jersey Transit Police Department’s Office of Emergency Management on Saturday at NJ Transit’s Bay Head yard facility.

The drill was designed to test responses to a simulated transit incident. In addition to the NJ EMS Task Force, the event involved representatives from the New Jersey Transit Office of Emergency Management, NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations, the Bay Head Police Department, the Bay Head Fire Department, the Bay Head Office of Emergency Management, Point Pleasant First Aid Squad, Point Pleasant Borough Fire Department, the Brick Fire Department, the Mantoloking Fire Department, Point Pleasant Borough First Aid Squad, Manasquan First Aid Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department OEM, Federal Railroad Administration, Lacey Township EMS, Jackson Township EMS, Beachwood EMS, Ocean County EMS Coordinators, Ocean County Fire Coordinators & Fire Marshal and the Red Cross.
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For more about the NJ EMS Task Force, visit www.njemstf.org.

The NJ EMS Task Force Training Module celebrated the start of EMS Week today by delivering the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Mental Health Resilience Officer class for providers representing agencies throughout the state.
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The day-long program held at Lakewood Township EMS trained attendees to serve as their agency’s MHRO. In that role, these specially trained providers engage with their peers to have a better understanding of mental health issues and resilience, they identify colleagues who are experiencing mental health stressors and crises; they offer navigation to peers in need of services for help; and they support the development of a culture of mental health resilience and wellness.

The class is part of the NJ EMS Task Force’s ongoing commitment to building and supporting the mental health resilience of first responders.

Congratulations to NJ EMS Task Force member Jason Kreyling for participating in the annual National EMS Memorial Bike Ride.

Kreyling, an EMT with South Branch Emergency Services, Inc., has participated in the ride for four consecutive years. The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride honors EMS personnel who have gotten sick, injured, or died in the line of duty nationwide through long-distance cycling events.

We never sit idle.

This week, members of the NJ EMS Task Force took part in a two-date ICS200 class presented by team instructors Chris Kendall and Nick Vasquez at the Shore Area Communications Center in Neptune, NJ.
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Participants in the program updated their knowledge of the Incident Command System and how it comes into play during incident management.

This weekend, members of the NJ EMS Task Force Training Module presented the NAEMT’s Mental Health Resilience Officer Class for the team at Mount Laurel Township EMS.

The class, delivered by Bil Rosen, Andy Caruso and Constantine Sypsomos was part of Mount Laurel’s annual work to honor the life and legacy of paramedic student Katie Broeker, who took her own life several years ago.
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Mount Laurel EMS President Mark Hass opened the session, reflecting on Broeker’s impact on the organization. Mount Laurel EMS’ lead EMT instructor Joe Zuber played a pivotal role in bringing the NJ EMS Task Force training team for the class, which was attended by 31 members.