WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ – A major shift in emergency medical services is underway along the Jersey Shore, as Wall Township officially disbands its long-standing, police-run EMS division at midnight on December 31, transitioning to a countywide model under Monmouth County’s new MedStar program.
While township officials say the change will enhance efficiency and improve response capabilities, the move is already sparking concern from local emergency responders and township employees who fear that Monmouth County’s expanding centralized system could soon push other municipal and volunteer squads out of business.
The decision, approved by the Wall Township Committee earlier this month, will result in the layoff of 29 full-time EMS employees and the closure of a department that has operated since 1999.
The township cited “economy and efficiency” as the official reason for ending the in-house program, pointing to rising operational costs and the promise of improved resources through the county partnership. Beginning January 1, 2026, Monmouth County’s MedStar EMS will take over emergency medical coverage for Wall Township residents under a shared services agreement.
MedStar, which operates as the county’s centralized emergency medical response system, has grown rapidly since its inception, taking over responsibilities once handled by local volunteer and municipal squads. The program boasts upgraded ambulances, advanced life support units, and direct integration with Monmouth County’s dispatch network—offering, on paper, a more seamless and better-resourced response structure.
But not everyone sees the change as progress. Within the broader emergency services community, there is growing concern that the MedStar model could ultimately lead to the consolidation—and eventual elimination—of smaller, community-based squads across Monmouth and neighboring Ocean County.
For many longtime EMTs, the disbanding of Wall Township’s EMS division represents the beginning of a new era, but one that comes with a heavy cost. Since its founding, the department has answered more than 53,000 calls for service—each representing a moment when township-based responders were first on scene for medical emergencies, car accidents, and life-threatening incidents. As the division winds down, Wall Police publicly thanked the EMS staff for their service, describing them as “the calm in the chaos” and “the steady hand for a neighbor in need.”
While the township’s message celebrated their professionalism and compassion, many in the local emergency services network interpret the closure as a troubling sign of what’s to come. Once municipalities begin outsourcing EMS functions to the county, local units lose both staffing and funding, making it nearly impossible for them to sustain operations. Critics argue that the trend may lead to longer response times, less community familiarity, and reduced volunteer participation over time—despite promises of efficiency.
Across Monmouth County, several local squads have either merged or closed in recent years, citing increased costs, declining volunteer numbers, and the challenge of competing with the county’s MedStar network. The program’s growth, while touted as necessary modernization, has also created what some describe as an uneven playing field. When county-run ambulances can be dispatched anywhere in the region, they often absorb call volume that once supported the smaller squads financially and operationally.
Now, Ocean County is preparing to follow Monmouth’s lead.
Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the Ocean County Board of Commissioners have confirmed they are exploring the creation of a county-supported EMS program that mirrors the MedStar model. Officials say the effort is designed to address long-standing issues with volunteer shortages and delayed response times in certain areas, particularly during the busy summer months when the county’s population swells.
County leaders emphasize that the goal is not to replace local volunteer or paid squads, but to supplement them when coverage gaps arise. However, similar assurances were made when Monmouth County first rolled out its regional EMS program—and within a few years, multiple township-based operations had folded.
In public comments, Ocean County officials have pointed to the strain placed on local squads by rising call volumes, aging equipment, and a shrinking volunteer base. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the crisis, as many longtime volunteers stepped away and new recruits were harder to find. Some towns have turned to private EMS contractors, often resulting in higher costs for residents and increased fragmentation in emergency response.
To counteract those challenges, Ocean County has begun laying the groundwork for a centralized support system. A consulting study commissioned by the county explored the feasibility of establishing a regional EMS structure, including the potential for county-owned ambulances and paid staff strategically stationed in high-demand zones. The county also launched an EMS Training Academy at the Fire and First Aid Training Center to encourage new EMT certification and bolster the depleted workforce.
Still, local responders are wary. They fear that once the county begins running its own ambulances, smaller volunteer agencies—already struggling to stay afloat—will see their call volume diminish, leading to a loss of funding, relevance, and eventually, existence.
“Once the county starts taking calls, the volunteers won’t be able to compete,” one veteran EMT from northern Ocean County said privately. “It starts as ‘backup coverage,’ then slowly becomes the primary provider. It’s what happened in Monmouth, and it’s going to happen here too.”
That concern is not unfounded. In Monmouth County, MedStar was originally introduced as a supplemental service, providing mutual aid in busy or understaffed areas. Over time, as local squads faced mounting financial pressure, towns began contracting directly with the county for coverage. The model proved attractive to municipal leaders eager to cut costs—but devastating for local EMS agencies that relied on steady call volume to justify their budgets and maintain readiness.
Ocean County officials have acknowledged that their proposed system will take cues from Monmouth’s, though they insist they intend to preserve local control where possible. Sheriff Mastronardy has spoken about creating a hybrid model—one that balances professional staffing and volunteer engagement. Even so, with ongoing studies, training initiatives, and exploratory talks of county ambulances being stationed throughout the region, it’s clear that the county is positioning itself for a more direct role in emergency medical operations.
Proponents argue that such a system will ensure consistent service countywide and prevent coverage gaps in rural or heavily populated seasonal areas. Detractors counter that once local EMS squads are displaced, the sense of community connection—and the ability to tailor response to local needs—will vanish.
For now, Wall Township stands as a turning point in this debate. Its 26-year police-run EMS division will answer its final call on New Year’s Eve, ending a legacy of neighborhood-based emergency care. Starting January 1, the county’s MedStar units will assume coverage, symbolizing both modernization and loss.
As Ocean County moves forward with its own plans, local volunteers and paid responders alike are watching closely. Whether the regional model delivers improved efficiency—or accelerates the decline of community-rooted EMS—remains to be seen.