Emergency Medical Services update from Mayor Drag

A letter from Mayor Tim Drag, December 2025

Dear Residents,

The Chester Township Council took an important step to ensuring the future of emergency medical services in Chester Township.

By formalizing the Township’s existing first aid services arrangement with Atlantic Health, the Township Council has strengthened emergency medical services available in the Township while eliminating economic burdens previously borne by residents. At the same time, this new arrangement allows the Chester First Aid Squad and its dedicated members to continue their long-standing tradition of service to our community. This cohesive approach is a “win-win” for residents and ensures the Township will be able to provide cost effective emergency services for years to come.

Approximately seven years ago, our volunteer First Aid Squad reached a point where it was no longer able to provide full-time EMS coverage for the Township. To ensure residents continued to receive timely emergency care, the Chester First Aid Squad arranged for Atlantic Health to respond to approximately half of all emergency calls. This arrangement developed without formal involvement from the Township’s governing body. Over time, however, some residents began receiving ambulance bills—and in some cases follow-up collection notices—after insurance was applied. For many families, this was confusing and concerning, particularly given the understanding that emergency services are supported through local tax dollars.

Throughout my term as Mayor, residents have contacted me seeking clarity about unexpected charges related to ambulance transport. Those concerns prompted the Township to engage directly with Atlantic Health to address a fundamental issue: residents should not face additional financial stress during a medical emergency. While most residents have no way of knowing which provider responds when they dial 911, they do know that the Township budgets for emergency medical services— currently at $77,000 per year.

Compounding the issue was the absence of a formal contract between the Township and Atlantic Health when this shared-response model began. As a result, emergency transports and billing occurred without a negotiated framework or clearly defined expectations. In moments of crisis, residents deserve confidence not only in the care they receive, but also in the process that follows.

Last night, the Township Council unanimously addressed these concerns by reorganizing how First Aid services are delivered in Chester Township and by approving a formal agreement with Atlantic Health to provide EMS services within our community.

Under this agreement:

• Atlantic Health will serve as the primary EMS responder for all calls within Chester Township.
• Each response will be staffed by a minimum of two trained and certified EMTs, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week based right here in Chester Township.
• Most importantly, residents will no longer receive balance bills or collection notices for emergency medical transport.

This decision does not signal the end of the Chester First Aid Squad. On the contrary, our agreement establishes a dual-dispatch model in which Atlantic Health will respond to every call, and the Chester First Aid Squad will continue to have the ability to respond as their volunteer availability and resources allow. The Township remains committed to supporting the Squad by continuing to provide rent-free space at the Highlands Ridge building for their vehicles and volunteers. We also anticipate equipping the Squad with a new ambulance in 2026, funded largely through a grant secured by Chester Township. This structure allows the Squad to focus on community-oriented service while navigating the ongoing challenges of volunteer recruitment and staffing.

For transparency, the financial impact of this change is as follows:

• The Township currently allocates $77,000 annually to the Chester First Aid Squad for approximately 50% coverage.
• Under the new agreement, the Township will pay approximately $40,000 per year for full 24/7/365 EMS coverage from Atlantic Health.

We recognize that continued cooperation and mutual support are essential to ensuring the Chester First Aid Squad remains a valued and active part of our community. We look forward to reviewing the Squad’s full 2025 financial report and its 2026 budget request so we can continue working together constructively.

This action strengthens reliability, professionalism, and financial fairness in the delivery of emergency medical services. It reflects the Township Council’s ongoing commitment to the safety, well-being, and peace of mind of every Chester Township resident.

Yours in Service,

Mayor Tim Drag