Bids in for next phase of medical response issue
Jackson continues to assess options for future services
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
In response to a request for proposals, two companies have submitted bids to provide emergency medical transport services in Jackson. The bids from interested firms had to be submitted by 10 a.m. Nov. 16. The sealed bids were opened and read at that time.

At present, the Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Service Corp. (MONOC) answers calls for basic life support (BLS) services in Jackson between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.

From 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad answers calls for BLS services in Jackson.

MONOC answers calls for advanced life support (ALS) services in Jackson 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will continue to do so regardless of what decision is made regarding the BLS provider.

In recent months Mayor Mark Seda has discussed making changes to the emergency medical response system in Jackson. The mayor has mentioned the possibility of instituting some type of municipal response unit.

The two companies that submitted bids in response to the request for proposals are MONOC, with headquarters in Neptune, and Quality Medical Transport, Bayville. Both firms responded to eight service options that were listed on a proposal form for cost of services.

For all eight service options, Quality Medical Transport listed no cost to Jackson. MONOC listed no cost to Jackson for three of the eight options, and costs ranging from $66,000 to $467,000 for the remaining five options.

The eight options are:

• Option 1 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $150,000.

• Option 2 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $192,000.

• Option 3 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 5:59 a.m. or 24-hour service. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $467,000.

• Option 4 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $143,000.

• Option 5 - Three units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. or 24-hour service. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $260,000.

• Option 6 - Two units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $0.

• Option 7 - Two units on hand between 6 a.m., and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $0.

• Option 8 - Two units on hand between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and two units on hand between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. or 24 hour service. Quality Medical provided a cost of $0; MONOC provided a cost of $66,000.

MONOC stated on its bid document that its bid "takes into account the cost to MONOC of providing the service, the expected revenues received from third parties and nonresident patients, and the services being provided at no charge by the township, including dispatch and three ready rooms (rent and utilities).

Councilwoman Emily Ingram has noted that response times by the community's emergency medical responders has been an ongoing issue in Jackson.

In an effort to address that situation Seda began looking into the possibility of having a community service officer and a municipal first aid squad on duty during the daytime hours, replacing the BLS services provided by MONOC.

Seda has said there will be a community meeting to focus on this matter. Presentations by the mayor and Public Safety Director Matthew Kunz have been given to some of Jackson's adult communities.

Among the concerns residents have raised in regard to the provision of emergency medical responses are the number of ambulances that will be available at any particular time; the location of the ambulances in Jackson; the actual response times and why there are differences in statistics being provided; and whether a municipal first-aid squad will raise taxes due to salaries, pensions and medical benefits for first-aid employees.