EMS Essential Services Bill Gains Momentum After Five-Year Campaign

Atlantic City, NJ – After five years of persistent advocacy and legislative refinement, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association's campaign to designate Emergency Medical Services as an essential service in New Jersey is approaching a critical juncture, with the bill securing a primary sponsor in the Assembly and gaining bipartisan support.

EMS Chair Steve Spurr delivered an update to convention delegates on September 17, 2025, outlining the strategic approach the FMBA has taken to ensure the legislation withstands legal scrutiny and achieves its intended purpose of elevating EMS workers to the same status as police and firefighters.

"We have been working on this bill for five years," Spurr told attendees. "We will not put a bad bill out that could fail. We have a concise bill that has been through the Office of Legislative Services, and we've been working closely with our legal counsel Craig Gumpel."

The essential services designation would provide significant protections and benefits for EMS workers, including enhanced collective bargaining rights, interest arbitration procedures similar to those used for police and fire contracts, and recognition of the critical nature of emergency medical services. The classification would prevent strikes or work stoppages while providing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for labor disagreements.

Assemblywoman Carol Murphy is sponsoring the legislation in the Assembly, lending credibility and political muscle to the effort. The FMBA is actively seeking a lead sponsor in the Senate to ensure the bill moves simultaneously through both chambers, maximizing the chances of passage before the end of the current legislative session.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically illustrated the essential nature of EMS work, with emergency medical technicians and paramedics responding to calls despite personal risk and inadequate protective equipment during the crisis's early stages. Public recognition of EMS workers' contributions during the pandemic created momentum for legislative recognition of their status.

"We have been on the forefront to protect our EMTs," Spurr emphasized, noting the FMBA's consistent advocacy for EMS workers even before the pandemic highlighted their critical role. The organization has worked to ensure that EMS members receive the same benefits and protections as firefighters, including pension enhancements and healthcare coverage.

The legislation faced previous challenges related to drafting issues and concerns about unintended consequences, leading the FMBA to restart the process with a more carefully crafted bill. The current version addresses potential legal challenges and ensures clear implementation guidelines for municipalities and EMS providers.

Spurr also provided an update on the Hood Study, a comprehensive examination of EMS services in New Jersey that has informed policy recommendations and legislative strategies. The study's findings supported the essential services designation by documenting the scope of EMS work, response volumes, and the specialized training required for emergency medical care.

The essential services bill represents a significant shift in how New Jersey law treats EMS workers, many of whom currently lack the protections afforded to other first responders despite facing similar risks and performing equally critical functions. The designation would acknowledge that emergency medical response is not optional or discretionary but fundamental to public safety.

Municipal officials have expressed mixed reactions to the proposal, with some supporting the recognition of EMS workers while others worry about the impact of enhanced collective bargaining rights on local budgets. The FMBA has worked to address these concerns by emphasizing that the bill focuses on establishing essential service status rather than mandating specific benefit levels.

President Donnelly and the executive board have made the EMS essential services bill a top legislative priority, committing significant resources to lobbying efforts and grassroots mobilization. The organization believes that EMS workers deserve equal standing with police and firefighters, and that essential service designation represents an important step toward that goal.

The bill's progress reflects the FMBA's patient, strategic approach to advocacy—refusing to rush forward with flawed legislation while maintaining steady pressure on lawmakers to recognize EMS workers' contributions. This methodical strategy has produced consistent legislative victories on other priorities, suggesting optimism about eventual passage of the essential services designation.