December 1, 2025 Chester, NJ – After careful consideration and extensive discussions with both the Borough and Township Councils, the Chester First Aid Squad (CFAS) has formally notified local officials that we will continue operating as an all-volunteer, no-fee emergency medical service, the same model that has served Chester for 80 years.
Going forward, CFAS will no longer devote time or resources to exploring a transition to a fee-based or billing model. Instead, our time and energy will be fully dedicated to what matters most: our core mission of delivering the highest level of pre-hospital care for our community.
“Billing residents for emergency care has never been part of our mission or our values,” said Deb Johnston, President of CFAS. “Our motto has always been ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’—not ‘Neighbors Billing Neighbors.’”
CFAS leadership emphasized that while the Township’s proposed model would have introduced billing for EMS services, it would not have created a paid squad. Under that model, the new entity, tentatively called Black River EMS, would still have been staffed by volunteer EMTs who would not receive compensation. Any funds collected from billing residents or their insurance companies would have gone toward running the administrative and operational costs of the new entity, not to paying personnel.
“CFAS is a strong, thriving, and growing volunteer organization,” Johnston continued. “We are committed to dedicating our time and resources to what truly matters—our core mission of delivering professional, compassionate, and cost-free emergency medical care to the people of Chester.”
The Squad also noted that the overwhelming community response to recent public discussions reinforced its decision to remain volunteer-based. “The people of Chester have made it abundantly clear that they value and support our no-fee volunteer model,” Johnston said. “We’re deeply grateful for that trust and encouragement.”
CFAS encourages residents to continue their support through donations and participation in the Squad’s upcoming Annual Fund Drive and other fundraising initiatives, which are essential to keeping the volunteer organization strong and ready to serve.