TABERNACLE, N.J. (WPVI) — Tensions ran high at Monday night’s Tabernacle Township Council meeting as a man demanded that more residents be allowed inside, prompting the council to briefly retreat into executive session.
Shortly afterward, garage doors at the Tabernacle firehouse were opened to those standing outside as the room had reached capacity.
Cheers and applause followed, but the mood quickly became tense again as residents voiced anger over the township’s decision to terminate its contract with the Tabernacle Rescue Squad (TRS) and evict the organization from its building.
“They are putting lives in danger,” said Elaine Nau of Tabernacle Township.
“I think there has to be a better solution to this,” added Barbara Baldwin, also of Tabernacle Township.
“What empty-headed, vagrant, negligent decision resulted in this?” another attendee exclaimed.
TRS Chief George Jackson III said the dispute stems in large part from the squad’s attempt earlier this year to transition from a volunteer-based model to a paid staffing model and a failed merger with neighboring rescue squads, leading to missed emergency calls.
Jackson acknowledged the missed calls due to staffing issues, but also explained that some missed calls were due to crews already being in service.
“We are out here trying our best,” Jackson said. “These volunteers, my members, have been here for 30-plus years.”
During the meeting, township officials presented findings from a subcommittee tasked with reviewing local emergency services and outlined their rationale for pursuing a new direction.
“The change in the EMS providers is being done to provide our residents with the best service available with proven EMS providers,” said Township Committee Member Grace McCloskey.
Town leaders said they planned to enter into a shared services agreement with neighboring Lumberton and Southampton townships for emergency medical services. However, officials admitted the deal has not yet been finalized.
“Time’s ticking,” Jackson said. “There’s a lot of moving parts, a lot of pieces that have to be figured out – equipment, supplies, personnel.”
Jackson said he would like the township to consider ways to keep the Tabernacle Rescue Squad in service, but for now, it appears that’s off the table
The Tabernacle Rescue Squad is currently scheduled to cease operations in early November.
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