KNOWLTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – In an effort to combat misinformation and ensure transparency, Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue (KTFR) is informing residents of Knowlton, Belvidere, Blairstown, Hardwick, Hope, White Township, Portland Borough, and Upper Mt. Bethel in Pennsylvania about a significant development regarding emergency medical services in the area.
Prior to their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, the Knowlton Township Municipal Committee was notified by St. Luke’s Emergency and Transport Services (SLETS) that their ambulance, which has been stationed at the KTFR location for over eight years, is set to be relocated closer to St. Luke’s Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg. according to a post on the Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Company’s Facebook page.
This decision will effectively end Knowlton Township’s primary EMS coverage, as well as secondary coverage for other parts of northern Warren County that depend on this mutual aid ambulance.
KTFR’s volunteer EMS squad has faced ongoing challenges in maintaining a sufficient number of EMTs to provide services. As emergency call volumes have significantly increased, KTFR has proactively sought assistance from the Township to manage these calls. In 2016, St. Luke’s entered into a contract to provide EMS services for our area, but this recent development raises concerns about future coverage.
Both the Knowlton Township Municipal Committee and KTFR are committed to collaboratively exploring potential compromises or solutions to ensure that critical EMS services remain available to our community.
“You may notice sporadic shortages of St. Luke’s coverage, other county ambulance squads, and possible longer response times as services may be coming from mutual aid partners. No final time frame for the move has been announced, but we will keep you informed,” officials said.
