Upper Saddle River’s Free Ambulance Service at Risk: The Urgent Race to Save a 70-Year Tradition
the staff of the Ridgewoiod blog
Upper Saddle River NJ, A local lifeline is on the verge of disappearing. Upper Saddle River is facing a critical emergency medical services (EMS) crisis that could see its volunteer ambulance corps shut down by October 2026.
In a sobering letter released this week, Captain Amy Lauren issued a stark ultimatum: “We are approximately six months away from closing.” Without an immediate influx of at least six new volunteers, the era of free emergency transport in the borough may come to an end.
The Numbers: Eight Volunteers for 8,000 Residents
The math behind the crisis is alarming. While the borough utilizes paid crews during weekday business hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), the responsibility for nights, weekends, and holidays falls entirely on the shoulders of volunteers.
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Current Roster: Only 8 active volunteers remain to cover the entire community.
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The Gap: Eight people are insufficient to staff even a basic two-person rotation for the week’s overnight shifts.
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The Deadline: If staffing doesn’t increase by October 2026, the doors will likely close.
What Happens if the Corps Folds?
If the local squad dissolves, the borough will have to rely on a mix of “mutual aid” from neighboring towns and county-run services. However, this transition brings two major concerns for residents: Time and Money.
1. The Financial Impact: No More “Free” Rides
While the local volunteer corps currently provides services at no direct cost to residents, private and hospital-based providers are different. Depending on your insurance, an emergency ride could result in significant out-of-pocket expenses.
To understand average emergency ambulance costs in Northern NJ, consider the following points:
- Basic ambulance transport fees typically range from $800 to $1,200.
- Advanced life support (ALS) services can increase costs to $1,200 to $2,000.
- Mileage charges may apply, averaging around $15 to $20 per mile.
- Insurance coverage can significantly affect out-of-pocket expenses.
- Additional fees may be incurred for specialized equipment or services.
- Costs can vary by provider and specific circumstances of the emergency.
2. Response Times
Local officials and residents often debate whether out-of-town crews can match the response speed of a department stationed directly within the borough. In a cardiac or respiratory emergency, every second counts.
A Growing Trend in Bergen County
Upper Saddle River isn’t alone. The “volunteer shortage” is a county-wide epidemic. As of late 2025:
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Bogota and Paramus have merged rescue squads with fire departments to survive.
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Wallington recently shifted to a model using Hackensack University Medical Center staff.
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Elmwood Park and Maywood have already dissolved their volunteer units in favor of paid per-diem services.
How You Can Help
The call to action is simple: The corps needs people. You don’t need to be a doctor to start; the department provides the necessary training to get you certified and ready to save lives in your own backyard.
Interested in volunteering? Contact the Upper Saddle River Ambulance Corps or visit Borough Hall for application details.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
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Tags: #UpperSaddleRiver #BergenCounty #EMS #Volunteer #PublicSafety #NJNews #SaveOurSquad #EmergencyServices #CommunityAlert
Have a set of river merge with saddle River
So they can experience the same thing down the road, maybe people should feel pride in their communities and give back like they use to do for many decades ago. Everything was all community based, not so much these days.
Saddle River does not have a volunteer service. They pay Valley Hospital for their ambulance coverage, and they have all the issues mentioned regarding costs and delayed response times for their residents. So there is no possiblity of just merging.
So glad Ridgewood is part of the fire department. Do not have to worry about volunteers.
That’s great, you must love paying taxes that are out of control. It’s cheaper and more cost effective for a volunteer than paid staff. Workers comp is less, auto insurance is less, insurance is less like A&S for when they are on-duty performing as a volunteer not their health insurance. Paid you pay triple the amount and of course their salaries. Yeah folks like to see volunteers do stuff for their community and is more cost effective in the long run.