Tabernacle Rescue Squad

10/15/2026

Responses worthy of our Pinelands Community:

Over the past few days we’ve run many duty crew responses with our staffed first out ambulance. Our professional providers have also gone beyond that initial ambulance when our communities required it.

This weekend that meant responding with our off road utility when a patient in Shamong’s section of Wharton State Forest needed assistance. Tonight it was responding to three simultaneous ALS level calls with DC 4396, 2nd rig 4391, and 3rd rig 4397. The latter call required the response of both 4396 returning the hospital and 4397 from station to fly a trauma patient from Shamong.

This level of response doesn’t just happen, it takes the dedication of our professional providers and the knowledge of this area of the pines. It always has.

Although Tabernacle has committed to keeping us as the provider of Rescue and EMS, Shamong has served us with a 90 day termination notice even after our agency met, and exceeded, the requirements given to us by their township committee.

While we don’t agree with that decision, especially with our members living in the community too, we will continue to serve like we did this weekend and overnight until our 90 days are over; one patient at a time, with whatever it takes.



Virtua Health New Jersey State Police NorthSTAR & SouthSTAR Air Medical Helicopter
Indian Mills Vol. Fire Co.

10/06/2026

Meeting Alert:

Yesterday, our President & Chief were invited to meet with elected officials from Shamong Township to inform us of their intention and expectation to serve us with our 90-day termination after a vote at tonight’s township meeting.

Although we shared our concerns about real reductions in actual service for the residents of Indian Mills given the realities this shift in service to Medford EMS will create, the committee still intends to vote to replace us; again…

A year ago we were in the same situation, except others backed out of the deal at the last minute.

In that year, our agency has met the ask of our community:

*Full transition to a combination department.✅
*Fully staffed duty crews.✅
*Reduced response time.✅
* Multi-rig responses ✅✅
*Off-road, marine, & rescue support.✅✅✅

From our beginnings in 1953, we have served both Pinelands communities. In 2021, we came back together after 30 years of supporting Shamong EMS. Leadership at Shamong EMS & Tabernacle Rescue realized we are stronger together. Our leadership team, made up of members from Shamong and Tabernacle, still believes that is true for our Pinelands family now.

If you agree, we invite you to attend Shamong’s or Medford’s meeting tonight, 10/6, and have your voice heard.

Medford: 6:30pm, 91 Union Street
Shamong: 7:30pm, 105 Willow Grove Road

We’ll keep you updated.

10/01/2026

Ready to challenge yourself, learn new skills, and make a difference in your community?

🚨 Tabernacle Rescue Squad is recruiting Volunteer Special Operations Members!

Our Special Operations Team trains for incidents that go beyond the everyday EMS call, including vehicle extrication, rope rescue, confined space rescue, large animal rescue, silo/grain rescue, structural shoring, and more.

Whether you already have rescue experience or you’re looking to learn, we provide the training, equipment, and hands-on experience to help you become part of the team.

💪 Build your skills.
🤝 Be part of a team.
🚑 Serve your community.
🔥 Make a real impact.

Ready to join the team? Learn more and start the process today:
tabernaclerescue.com/join/start/⁠

09/15/2026

August Monthly Call Report

During the month of August, our crews responded to a total of 167 calls for service throughout Shamong, Tabernacle, and the surrounding communities.

Our members responded to a wide variety of incidents, including medical emergencies, falls, cardiac emergencies, motor vehicle crashes, fire calls, and rescue assignments. Each response reflects our continued commitment to providing timely, professional, and compassionate emergency services to those we serve.

Notable call types this month included:
• Fall Victims – 26
• Cardiac Emergencies – 20
• Unconscious Patients – 17
• Traffic Accidents – 15
• Breathing Problems – 12

We extend our sincere appreciation to our members for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our community. Their willingness to answer the call ensures that help is available when it is needed most.

Please see the graphic below for a detailed breakdown of our August responses.

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget those who never made it home, the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, and all those whose lives were forever changed.

This ambulance, 4392, responded to New York City as part of a strike team in the aftermath of the attacks.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

08/23/2026

Congratulations to all who completed the Incident Safety Officer training this weekend!

A few of our Tabernacle Rescue Squad members, who also serve with the Tabernacle Fire Department, were among those in attendance. We’re proud to see our members continuing to expand their knowledge and skills through training that benefits both our agencies and the community we serve.

Great work by everyone who completed the course, and thank you to the Atlantic County Fire Academy and the 200 Club of Burlington County for helping make this training possible.

This weekend, members of Tabernacle Fire Department completed Incident Safety Officer training.

The ISO plays a critical role on scene — keeping an eye on conditions, tracking crew safety, and making sure everyone goes home at the end of the call. Proud of our members for putting in the time to build this skill set.

Thanks to Atlantic County Fire Academy who helped put on the class. Also a huge shout out to 200 Club of Burlington County for the training grant provided to run the class. Training like this is what keeps our department sharp and our community safe.

08/17/2026

Tabernacle Rescue Squad is hiring Per Diem EMTs.

If you’re looking for an EMS position that lets you focus on providing emergency care while gaining exposure to a variety of EMS and rescue operations, we encourage you to apply.

Our Per Diem EMTs receive:

$23.00/hour
Flexible scheduling
Holiday pay
No care facility or nursing home assignments
No non-emergency transports

Tabernacle Rescue Squad serves a unique response area that includes rural communities, state forests, and remote locations. Our members operate and work with specialized resources, including off-road ambulances such as UTVs and 4x4 ambulance units, designed to reach patients in areas where a traditional ambulance may not be able to access.

Members may also have opportunities to participate in specialized rescue training and operations, as well as opportunities to become involved with the Burlington County Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Team based on applicable qualifications, requirements, and team availability.

Whether responding to a medical emergency, motor vehicle crash, or incident in a remote area, our focus is providing high-quality emergency care to the residents and visitors of our community.

Interested in joining our team? Learn more and apply today:

tabernaclerescue.com/join/employment/

Please share this post with EMTs who may be interested in joining Tabernacle Rescue Squad.

08/14/2026

Busy Morning for Tabernacle Rescue Squad! 🚑

This morning was a busy one for our agency, with our crews handling multiple calls, including two incidents in remote areas of Wharton State Forest in Shamong and Washington Twps.

While our duty crew was already committed to a call, we were dispatched to a second incident in Wharton State Forest. Several of our off-duty members responded to staff our second ambulance, Ambulance 4394, and our Off-Road Ambulance 4393.

While responding, Ambulance 4394 was diverted to a motor vehicle accident at Route 206 and Atsion Road. Off-Road Ambulance 4393 continued toward the original incident, and a mutual aid BLS unit from Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad was requested to assist.

After Ambulance 4394 arrived at the accident and determined there were no injuries, the crew cleared and responded back to assist with the original incident.

Working alongside the New Jersey State Park Police and Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Co. serving Shamong Township, Off-Road Ambulance 4393 accessed the patient in the remote area and transported them out to Ambulance 4394. Our crews then transported the patient to a local hospital.

But the morning wasn’t over yet.

While Ambulance 4394 was transporting that patient, our duty crew and Off-Road Ambulance 4393 were dispatched again to Wharton State Forest, this time for a patient suffering from a back injury in another remote location.

Our duty crew staffed 4393 and made their way into the forest to access the patient. Once Ambulance 4394 cleared the hospital from the previous call, that crew responded to the second incident to stand by and assist as needed.

Through teamwork, coordination, and the dedication of our members, both patients were successfully reached, removed from remote areas, and provided the care they needed.

Today was another great example of the importance of having Off-Road Ambulance 4393 available to serve our community and the thousands of acres of remote terrain surrounding us.

We would like to thank all of our members who responded, as well as our partners from New Jersey State Park Police, New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company, and Hampton Lakes for their assistance.

Great teamwork by everyone involved! 🚑

08/06/2026

July Monthly Call Report

During the month of July, our crews responded to a total of 147 calls for service, providing emergency medical care and assistance throughout Shamong, Tabernacle, and the surrounding communities.

These incidents included a wide range of emergencies, from medical emergencies and cardiac events to motor vehicle crashes, fire responses, and patients requiring urgent medical intervention. Every call represents our commitment to providing timely, professional, and compassionate care whenever our community needs us.

Notable call types this month included:

Medical Emergencies (29)
Fall Victims (21)
Unconscious Patients (21)
Cardiac Emergencies (13)
Breathing Problems (13)

In addition to EMS responses, our members also assisted with 7 fire-related incidents, highlighting the diverse nature of the calls our volunteers respond to each month.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our members for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community. Their willingness to answer the call—at any hour of the day or night—ensures that high-quality emergency medical care remains available to those who need it most.

Please see the graphic below for a complete breakdown of this month's responses.

08/05/2026

Passenger airbags deploy in just 20–40 milliseconds, inflating at speeds that can exceed 125 MPH. They are carefully engineered to protect occupants who are seated correctly—with their feet on the floor and their seat belt properly fastened.

When someone’s feet are resting on the dashboard, the deploying airbag can violently force the legs upward and backward, driving the knees toward the face and chest before the occupant has any chance to react.

The consequences can be devastating:

* Femur fractures
* Pelvic and hip fractures
* Hip dislocations
* Knee and ankle injuries
* Facial trauma
* Spinal injuries caused by the extreme body position

Another hidden danger: objects on the instrument panel

Dashboard ornaments, air fresheners, phones, sunglasses, toys, or any loose objects placed near the passenger airbag may become dangerous projectiles during deployment.

The airbag inflates with tremendous energy. Anything in its deployment path can be launched toward the occupants at high speed, increasing the risk of serious injuries.

A safe dashboard is a clean dashboard.

Engineering saves lives—but only when occupants do their part.

Source: Romualdo Souza