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​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.”

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.”

To make a donation today

​TED GOLDBERG | AUGUST 28, 2023 | HEALTH CARE
The task force is seeking $23 million in federal funding

To make a donation to support the NJEMSTF today, click here

NJ EMS Task Force members came together this week for their annual team meeting at a firehouse in New Jersey. They left after an evening of inspiration, encouragement, hope, and repeated reminders that those in emergency services aren’t in the field for fame but rather to change the lives of others.

“Fame is what people did for themselves. Greatness is what they did for others,” said guest speaker Gian Paul Gonzalez. “You’re not in this room for fame. Greatness doesn’t go viral. But that doesn’t change the fact that it changes the course of history.”

Gonzalez capped an evening highlighted by conversations with Mike Bascom, chairman of the non-profit NJ EMS Task Force, New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan, Dana Johnson, assistant commissioner of the NJ Department of Health, and H. Mickey McCabe, one of the four original founders of the organization.

“Commit yourself to being the member you intended to be when you applied to be part of this team,” said Bascom.

Bascom outlined the NJEMSTF accomplishments in the last few years, including the organization's significant role in New Jersey’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic – a mission that continues today. Part of that mission included working with the NJ Department of Health to develop and execute a plan to transfer over 850,000 COVID-19 vaccines to areas where the doses were critically needed.

Bascom also highlighted the change in the organization to a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, which operates on grants and private donations. Bascom said the NJEMSTF would soon launch a fund drive to raise much needed funding to maintain this mission-critical organization.

New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan compared the NJ EMS Task Force members to rivets on a bridge and how they create a sturdy structure working together. He challenged members to “always be striving to move the needle.”

Callahan noted that those in EMS often see and experience things most people never face.
“Bounce forward; you can’t go back,” Callahan said.

“Never forget the whys that you took this job,” Callahan added. “Don’t forget the why. Sometimes we get lost.”

The NJ EMS Task Force was formed in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when in the weeks and months after the tragedy, EMS leaders from around New Jersey gathered to develop a plan for an organization to train for and coordinate a statewide EMS response to any disaster. Today, The New Jersey EMS Task Force is an award-winning organization used as a model nationwide.

In 2023, the NJ EMS Task Force was part of the statewide response to several wildfires impacting thousands of acres of land and floods that required the evacuation of assisted living facilities while also developing and updating the disaster response plans.

Johnson praised the NJ EMS Task Force for its work, saying it was an example of how people coming for a common goal can do so much. She noted that because of the NJ EMS Task Force’s vaccine transfer system, “450 unique areas of New Jersey got the vaccines that wouldn’t have been able to get it otherwise.”

“You always maintain communications and professionalism,” Johnson told attendees.

“When it all comes apart at a local level….you are called,” McCabe told attendees. A single call mobilizes the Task Force, he said.

He urged members to get to know each other and the organizations around them.  “You need to know the people around you. You need to know what they can do,” McCabe said, reminding members that what those in EMS do is something most people couldn’t handle.

Jennifer McCarthy, Vice President of the Board, presented Distinguished Awards to NJEMSTF member Terry Hoben and Dr. David Adinaro for their service, work with the organization and their overall impact on the field of EMS.

“Dr. Adinaro opened opportunities for the NJEMSTF to become fully actualized during the public health crisis in New Jersey,” McCarthy said. “We are forever grateful for the funding support and uses of our vital organization that Dr. Adinaro facilitated.”

She added, “As an original member and host agency, as well as a founding member of the Heli Base module, Terry’s contribution is long-lasting and important to the work we achieve every day for New Jersey and beyond.”

There were also brief discussions within the NJEMTF’s various team modules, ranging from medical operations, communications, staging, logistics, public information, finance, and planning; scheduling upcoming module meetings and training sessions for preparation towards an annual Base of Operation Exercise scheduled for October 2023.

Gonzalez reminded members that their work requires a commitment where success is not guaranteed.

“Being committed is not a feeling,” he said, adding it’s not a slogan on a T-shirt. “It’s a commitment.”

​New Jersey is using EMS teams to pack up and bring COVID-19 vaccines across the state as focus shifts from mega-sites to community centers and doctor’s offices

Almost every day up to a dozen emergency response professionals from around the state gather at the New Jersey Department of Health’s laboratory in Ewing to carefully pack and then distribute a precious public health resource: COVID-19 vaccines.

Doses from drugmakers Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson are nestled in separate “cooling cubes” designed to maintain specific temperatures; routes and drop-off locations are mapped, and the coolers are loaded into vans to be delivered to immunization sites statewide.

The vaccine transfer process is designed to match the shots with shifting public demand and prevent as few doses as possible from going to waste. So far, New Jersey appears to have succeeded, with just 0.25% of the more than 11 million doses received having expired or otherwise gone unused, according to the DOH, less than half the national vaccine wastage rate.

“The state is working to make sure vaccines don’t sit on a shelf where they won’t get used,” said Mike Bascom, president of the New Jersey EMS Task Force, a nonprofit comprising 60 local organizations, and emergency management coordinator in Neptune. For the past two weeks, task force members have handled the tracking and distribution of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses under a recent agreement with the DOH.

Nearly 4.4 million New Jerseyans have now been vaccinated through the state’s effort, which launched in mid-December, and Gov. Phil Murphy hopes to make it to 4.7 million by July. For months demand for the shots far outpaced supply and vaccine sites around the state were clamoring for additional doses. But interest has since slowed significantly and state figures show less than 50,000 shots given any day in June, down from a peak of more than 120,000 daily doses in early April.

Shot shuttleThe state has started to scale back its vaccination infrastructure, winding down operations at its six mega-sites. But that evolving demand can complicate allocations and leave less busy sites with more doses than needed. The DOH tapped the task force to oversee the process of tracking the daily distribution from Ewing, and to help shuttle shots among various sites, all to avoid vaccine loss.

“The Department of Health Operations Team has been working around the clock to make sure vaccines get safely to points of distribution that are closest and most convenient to where the people are,” DOH commissioner Judy Persichilli said earlier this month in announcing the task force arrangement. Previously the state had handled this transport work with the help of contractors.

“We appreciate the critical role our State’s EMS Task Force has played throughout the pandemic as one of our key response partners,” Persichilli said. “This innovative program to responsibly use existing vaccine doses through safe and effective methods of transfer once again shows the importance of state-level coordination in close collaboration with our vaccine partners.”

Persichilli said the DOH allocated $6 million in federal pandemic-related funding to assist the task force with its work to help the state prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies. During the coronavirus outbreak, its role has included coordinating COVID-19 testing, transporting scarce medical equipment, evacuating a nursing home and organizing pop-up vaccination clinics, including several at the Jersey Shore over Memorial Day weekend.

“This is part of the evolution of our role in the state’s COVID-19 mission,” Bascom said of the task force, which was formed in the wake of 9/11. “We have gone from working behind the scenes, to supporting testing and vaccination sites, to putting shots in arms, and now assuring the vaccines are allocated to the right parts of the state to be most efficient.”
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Handle with careThe three vaccines require careful storage and handling, and each must be maintained at its own specific icy temperature; Moderna requires an ultra-cold deep freezer for protection, while Pfizer doses depend on regular freezers and Johnson & Johnson shots can be stored in something akin to a traditional refrigerator. Each vial contains multiple doses and if not properly maintained, the vaccines can spoil.

According to the DOH, New Jersey has lost 28,340 doses through June 8, or 0.25% of the 11.1 million doses delivered since December. While this is higher than the waste reported in early April — when it was barely 0.1% — it remains well below the current national rate of 0.68%, the department said, and well below what federal officials set as a goal for COVID-19 vaccine loss.

The DOH continues to oversee the allocation of the vaccines statewide, placing orders with the federal government based on the capacity and number of people at each immunization site. The vaccines are generally shipped directly to the clinics, although some have been stored at the health department lab in Ewing, next door to the state’s emergency operations center.

Being able to shift supplies from one site to another is key to meeting the evolving demand, experts note. Task force members from local squads are dispatched to Ewing almost daily, with three or four individuals assigned to coordinating the operation and six to 10 more loading the vans and hitting the road. In the first 10 days the teams put some 4,000 miles on the two vans, Bascom said, which were provided by squads from South Branch and West New York.
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“We have come a long way with the task force,” said task force member Mike McCabe, the deputy EMS coordinator in Hudson County and a first responder in Bayonne. “We’re very encouraged by the responsibility the state has given to us,” he said, “and we hope it leads to more” collaboration.

LILO H. STAINTON, HEALTH CARE WRITER | JUNE 14, 2021 | CORONAVIRUS IN NJ
Source: NJ Spotlight ​

BRENDA FLANAGAN, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT | APRIL 6, 2021 | CORONAVIRUS IN NJ

A mobile NJ EMS Task Force is driving COVID-19 vaccines out to where people live — vaccinating those who can’t get to regular vaccination sites. The mobile team is partnering with the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey and local officials.
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Meanwhile, state health officials are waiting to launch their “triplets” — three mega-vans outfitted for major on-the-road vaccination campaigns.