This Monday, November 3rd, 2014, Jersey City community leaders will call for transparency from Mayor Steven Fulop’s Administration at Noon at City Hall regarding the Jersey City EMS contract.
“The public has a right to know the committee recommendations and reasoning before having it sprung on them when there will be no time to respond. This is not open government.†– Esther Wintner, President Civic Jersey City
Last year, shortly after Mayor Steven Fulop took office, his administration issued a request for proposals (RFP) for emergency medical service (EMS) providers for Jersey City. Two potential providers applied: Jersey City Medical Center EMS and CarePoint/McCabe Ambulance.
JCMC has been providing EMS for Jersey City for more than 130 years, while CarePoint had little history with the city before offering a proposal to become our EMS provider. Mayor Fulop and the city council considered both proposals last fall, but chose to postpone a final decision in December after hearing vocal criticism from the community about flaws in the RFP process. Since December, JCMC EMS has continued to serve as the city’s sole EMS provider.
“I think it is a shame that this administration is trying to change providers. I support the medical center.†Councilman Boggiano, Ward C
On June 27, 2014, Mayor Fulop’s administration issued a brand new RFP for the city’s EMS contract. Again, JCMC EMS and Carepoint/McCabe are the two potential providers that responded with EMS proposals.
The city was originally scheduled to make a recommendation in September, 2014, but that was delayed as the City requested and was granted a 60 day extension by both parties expiring on November 26, 2014. On October 15, 2014, the committee made the recommendation and submitted its reports and scores to the city. This information has not been made public. The City is refusing to release the committee results. After numerous requests made by residents and even after been denied by an OPRA request the City refuses to make this information public.
“This is a huge issue for all of us. Change to a for-profit, less experienced ambulance service is a proposition the community did not ask for. We have enough challenges. And we need to know what is going on.†Martha Larkins, Member of Leadership at South Greenville Neighborhood Association
We are calling on concerned citizens of Jersey City to stand in front of City Hall with us and call for transparency regarding the EMS Contract.
Sincerely,
April Kuzas, Founder of Save Our EMS
Martha Larkins, Member of Leadership, South Greenville Neighborhood Association
Esther Wintner, President of Civic Jersey City
Bruce Alston, Founder/Community Organizer of Urban Concerns
For more information – please visit www.saveourems.org and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/saveouremsinjc)
