Rescue squad touts national recognition - Vineland Daily Journal
MILLVILLE — The Millville Rescue Squad is keeping bragging rights as one of the nation’s best-rated ambulance and medical transportation services.The squad, which employs 250 people, spent much of last year under review from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. It learned this past December that it was being certified for 2012 through 2014.Three years ago, the squad became just the second New Jersey rescue unit to pass a commission review. That accreditation expired in 2011.Today, the Millville Rescue Squad is one of three units in the state with that status and among only 128 in the nation.“It makes us a stronger organization in how we operate,” Chief John Redden said of the importance of the designation. “Policies that we may have overlooked are now in place. From my end, it’s the pride it instills in the organization.”“If you get the accreditation, it signifies that you met the gold standard in the industry,” squad Chief Administration Officer Craig Atkinson said Thursday.Atkinson discussed the commission designation at a luncheon presentation to the Millville Kiwanis Club.“You might say, ‘Well, why is accreditation important? What’s the big deal about that?’” Atkinson said. “Well, it’s very important, obviously, to our patients and community.”The commission’s opinion, he added, also is a strong talking point for city officials, decreases liability and provides a selling point to health care and other organizations with which the squad has contracts. The squad, based at 600 Cedar St., is a private, nonprofit corporation that also provides the city’s 9-1-1 coverage.Redden, the squad’s longtime chief and chief executive officer, said the accreditation “represents our firm commitment to our patients and community.”The accreditation process, which is voluntary, includes a comprehensive self-assessment that is followed by an independent review with an on-site inspection.“Our staff has been key to our successful completion of the process,” Redden said. “I think it gives the feeling of prestige and pride to work in an accredited ambulance service. Everyone here played a valuable role in our ability to meet the commission’s high standards.”Last year was important for other reasons, too. The squad secured transportation contracts with Cape Regional Medical Center and Cooper University Hospital. It already had an agreement with South Jersey Healthcare.Redden said substations were opened in Pennsauken and Cape May Courthouse. The new agreements are not for 9-1-1 work but only routine transportation to and from the hospitals.Glenn Nickerson, chairman of the squad’s board of directors, said contracts like that enable the squad to subsidize its 9-1-1 work. “Because 9-1-1 cannot make money,” he said.“More call volume can generate more revenue and we could increase our staff,” Redden said.
