Hamburg, Hardyston discuss EMS plan

HAMBURG — Members of the Hamburg Borough Council and Mayor Paul Marino met with officials from neighboring Hardyston Township to discuss future plans for Emergency Medical Services of which both municipalities currently share.

Hamburg Borough is currently covering emergency calls for the Hardyston area until a determination can be made as to whether the township will be able to reopen its own department.

“Hardyston EMS is in limbo and Hamburg is taking calls for the area.” Marino said. “They are keeping their equipment in the hopes of reforming the department. They have offered use of their equipment. They are going to use 2015 to make that (reformation) determination.”

Since taking over the area, Hamburg EMS has seen an increase in the number of emergency calls. According to department statistics, half of emergency calls being responded to by Hamburg are in Hardyston.

“We are running a lot of calls.” EMS Captain Joyce Oehler said. “We can try using secondary crews.’

The municipality is looking for ways to support the department’s need for additional resources needed to cover the increase while a reformation decision is made. Among them, an increase in personnel in the department.

“Maybe its possible that any volunteer member (from Hardyston) that wants to run can temporarily run for Hamburg.” Council member Dan Barr said.

“Anyone they got will be helpful.” Council member Mark Cena said.