What Happens When You Call 9-1-1

EMS Star of Life

Highlands First Aid Squad
Highlands, New Jersey

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What Happens When You Call 9-1-1 For a Medical Emergency?

Your call goes to the Highlands Police Department. Medical emergencies are routed to the Monmouth County Dispatch Center who then dispatches an ambulance. In Highlands, Emergency Medical Services is provided by the Highlands First Aid Squad.

A tone is sent to all members who carry pagers. Available members respond to the Squad's building to man the ambulance and respond to the call. Members are not usually at the building so it make take a few minutes before the ambulance arrives at your location. The Highlands Police Department (who officers are trained in first aid and CPR) is also dispatched to the location before the arrival of the ambulance. Squad members, most of whom are Emergency Medical Technicians start treatment when they arrive and depending on the nature of the emergency may request Advanced Life Support (ALS) backup which is provided by paid Paramedics.

The patient is treated on scene and then transported to the appropriate hospital that can provide the best care for the patient. Because Highlands First Aid is a volunteer service and members work regular jobs during the day, there may be times when members are not available. At times like these, a mutual aid agreement with neighboring towns is implemented and an ambulance from another town may come into Highlands to provide medical care.