Shore First-Responders Get Big Addition For Mass Emergencies

Monmouth County's second specialized vehicle for mass-casualty response moves into the Bayshore region for service. The Keyport and Atlantic Highlands First Aid squads will house the 42-foot Medical Ambulance Bus, according to county Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Keyport's geographic position was a significant factor in determining the MAB's designation, says the Sheriff, who notes in a release that the borough is "adjacent to ferry terminals and major highways, making it an ideal place to house such a vehicle."

The bus is designed for response to large fires, transport accidents, evacuations and weather events, when on-site treatment for victims is necessary. It has room for 20 patients, equipped with monitoring devices, oxygen outlets, a self-powered electrical supply, and a refrigeration unit for medication storage.

As with the county's first MAB stationed in Neptune, it carries a $340,000 price tag that is covered by grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security. Monmouth EMS Coordinator Michael Bascom oversaw its deployment to Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties in addition to Neptune and Red Bank during Hurricane Irene, as well as several building fires and the Jets game at Met Life Stadium last September 11.