The new facility helps fills a void that's more than 10 years in the making, officials said. Watch video
NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP -- Monmouth County has training centers for police and firefighters. Now, emergency medical personnel have a place in the county they can call home.
The new Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Emergency Medical Training Center, located on Route 33 in Neptune Township, will be a hub for emergency medical training and coordination for not only the county but the state as well.
The center came out of a partnership with the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, NJ EMS Task Force, Neptune Township and the state Department of Health. It was unveiled at a ceremony on Monday morning.
"That was one of my goals, to provide a home of classrooms and technology, so that the EMTs and medics could come here, train whenever they want -- day, evening, weekends -- because they don't sleep; it's a 24/7 operation, and so is training," Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said. "That was our vision: to have an EMS academy, and to have the New Jersey EMS Task Force a part of that is a great asset."
The new training center, which serves as a backup 911 communications center, will give EMTs an opportunity to train on special operations vehicles and emergency equipment, including the medical ambulance bus.
Golden said the medical ambulance bus is a huge asset especially during large gatherings, like the New Jersey Marathon and concerts at PNC Bank Arts Center, and in times of natural disaster. It has the capability to treat multiple people at one time.
"To have the EMS task force as part of a great team of public safety personnel that can come in great time of emergency is key," Golden said. "And so to have it stationed right here in Monmouth County is even more of a benefit to our residents."
Michael Bascom, Monmouth County EMS coordinator and a task force leader, said the new training facility has helped fill a void that's more than 10 years in the making.
"The NJ EMS Task Force has been in existence since 2004," he said. "As the members became trained and equipped throughout the years, we scrambled to find meeting and training locations."
Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso, a member of the Holmdel First Aid Squad, said Hurricane Sandy showed just how important EMS services are in times of natural disaster.
"During Superstorm Sandy, they planned, prepared and had a tremendous role in response and recovery efforts to those towns and residents in need," DiMaso said. "That type of response will enhance even more, now that there is a base of operations to meet and deploy from."
The 50,000 square-foot facility is owned by Neptune Township and is leased by the county.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.