temp

University Hospital Emergency Medical Services

Basic Life Support

 

As a central component to one of the most comprehensive pre-hospital EMS systems nationally, the Basic Life Support Division represents the backbone of the UH-EMS system. Among the busiest and most experienced units in the country, UH-EMS BLS units maintain primary responsibility for mitigating all emergency medical calls for service within the City of Newark, New Jersey's largest city.

UH-EMS staffs eight full-time BLS units assigned to four tours and has the flexibility to add additional units to cover system volume, details, and special events. Each BLS unit is staffed by two New Jersey Department of Health certified Emergency Medical Technicians. These state-employed EMTs are among the most experienced of their kind in the nation and participate in the treatment of over 68,000 pre-hospital patients annually.

All BLS units operate out of the UH-EMS Complex located at 150 Cabinet Street, and are dispatched by REMCS on Citywide Channel 1. These units, which represent the busiest units per ambulance in the country, respond on a wide variety of emergency assignments ranging from minor injuries and illnesses to critically ill patients and acute traumatic injuries. Units have also been routinely assigned to major accident scenes, crime scenes, mass casualty incidents, fires, and for operational assistance to local fire, law-enforcement, and other public safety agencies.

UH-EMS BLS units are assigned to city districts which comprise the north, east, central, west, and south zones. All vehicles are further equipped with a GPS-based AVL/MDT system which aids with both unit safety and a reduction in response time. BLS units are also utilized citywide for emergency responses and are occasionally assigned to requests for mutual-aid to Newark's surrounding municipalities.

The primary coverage area for the BLS division consists of the City of Newark, New Jersey. This includes Newark Liberty International Airport, the third busiest airport nationally, and the New Jersey Marine Terminals, the second busiest container seaport nationally, at Port Newark and the Elizabeth Seaport.