Frequently asked questions.
Common questions about how Mahwah EMS works, what it costs, and what to expect when you call.
Q01Does Mahwah EMS charge patients for their services?
No. We do not charge for our services, and we never have, since our inception in 1947.
Q02My neighbor needed an ambulance. Why did two ambulances arrive at their house?
What you probably saw was a Mahwah ambulance and a Paramedic unit. In New Jersey, hospital-based Paramedics sometimes use large SUVs or ambulances, sometimes referred to as MICUs (Mobile Intensive Care Units). These vehicles and the Paramedics who operate them are an extension of the hospital's emergency room.
Q03I saw an ambulance crew transport a patient and didn't see Paramedics. Why?
Simply put, they probably weren't needed. Every patient's needs are different, and it's very likely the situation didn't require that level of care. It's also possible the crew was on its way to meet Paramedics en route to the hospital.
Q04Who decides whether Paramedics are needed?
Specific protocols spell out when Paramedics are required. Dispatchers can quickly determine the need based on the nature of the injury, illness, or event, and the ambulance crew can also request Paramedics if they determine there's a need.
Q05I got a bill for my ambulance trip. I thought Mahwah EMS doesn't charge — can you explain?
You're correct — Mahwah EMS never charges for its service. However, there is a separate charge for hospital-based Paramedics, when they're involved in your care.
Q06What happens if I need an ambulance and the crew isn't available?
MEMS relies on long-standing, reciprocal mutual aid agreements with volunteer ambulance squads from surrounding towns. It's understood and agreed that these mutual aid squads will never charge patients treated or transported from Mahwah.
Q07Are your members all volunteers? Is anyone paid?
Yes, every member of Mahwah EMS is an unpaid volunteer. Most members are otherwise employed and/or are students.
Q08What hospitals do you take patients to?
Our primary hospitals are Good Samaritan in Suffern, NY; The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ; and Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ.
Q09What's the training level of a typical member?
Everyone providing direct patient care is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The EMT curriculum runs approximately 225 hours, and EMTs must recertify every three years. Drivers are specifically trained in ambulance operations, and all EMTs and drivers are trained in CPR, including use of an AED.
Q10Besides answering calls, what else does Mahwah EMS do?
Plenty. Members are part of your community — look for us at town parades, Mahwah Day, high school football games, Baskin-Robbins Scoop Night, Touch-A-Truck, and Safety Town, to name a few.
Q11My elderly parents live in Mahwah and I don't. What can I do to help if they need an ambulance?
Great question. Everyone should keep a written record of their medical history (conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma), current medications, and any allergies, somewhere a crew can find it quickly.
Q12What if I have an Advance Directive or Living Will? Should I have it available for the crew?
A Living Will is a type of Advance Directive. Some people have a specific Advance Directive called a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order — when presented and authenticated, it's honored by ambulance crews and other first responders. If you or a family member has a DNR, please make sure it's visible to first responders.