New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would make emergency medical services an essential service statewide, similar to police and fire protection, while addressing growing concerns over ambulance availability, volunteer shortages, and emergency response times.

During a hearing Thursday at the Statehouse in Trenton, emergency medical professionals and volunteer organizations urged the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee to advance legislation requiring municipalities to ensure residents have access to basic life support and ambulance services.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill S1421 and Assembly Bill A1008, would require every municipality to provide or arrange emergency medical services through municipal departments, private providers, nonprofit organizations, or mutual aid agreements.

State Senator Robert Singer, who represents parts of Ocean County, highlighted the success of Lakewood Hatzolah and its volunteer emergency response system, describing it as an example of how communities can provide rapid and effective emergency care.

Singer noted that Lakewood Hatzolah currently operates under a special state waiver allowing certain senior emergency responders to carry medical equipment in their personal vehicles and respond directly to emergencies, helping reduce response times.

The senator announced plans to introduce legislation that would make similar arrangements permanently available to other emergency medical organizations throughout New Jersey.

The hearing also focused on the challenges facing volunteer ambulance squads, including difficulties recruiting and retaining members, lengthy training requirements, rising operating costs, and limited municipal funding.

Emergency service leaders called for the development of a comprehensive statewide EMS plan, increased financial support for volunteer organizations, and streamlined training procedures to help bring new volunteers into service more quickly.

Lawmakers also discussed lifting the current $125,000 annual cap on certain municipal tax-funded contributions to ambulance squads.

Although no votes were taken during Thursday’s hearing, committee leaders indicated that additional legislation and amendments are expected as lawmakers work to strengthen New Jersey’s emergency medical response system.

The essential-services legislation has already advanced through Senate and Assembly committees but has not yet received final legislative approval.