There are many people who have volunteered their time and have been working closely with many powerful politicians and department chief’s bringing awareness to many issues that need immediate attention. We hope those who can facilitate these changes will do so. We hope they will take issues seriously and work to improve the Emergency Services of our town. If the issues continued to be ignored and neglected, Everything Lakewood will elaborate on each topic with many details and facts many wish never become public knowledge. Topics you can expect to be improved on or written about here include but are not limited to:
- Large funds approved last year at the request of Deputy Chief Fred Capper of LPD to upgrade the outdated communications room (dispatch room) technology to meet FFC requirements by a 1/1/13 FCC deadline. To date, no upgrades have begun.
- Police are usually the first to arrive at emergencies and their quick actions save lives. Why aren’t all the police vehicles in Lakewood equipped with Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to help save the lives of those suffering cardiac arrest? The sooner the AED is applied the better the chance of survival.
- The LPD uses the comprehensive Spillman system for their dispatching and real-time data. It is also used to track the whereabouts of officers and to share confidential information with officers. It allows for offices to look up license plate numbers and check persons for previous records… Yet to date many police vehicles do not have operating Spillman computers denying officers the proper tools to do their job efficiently and effectively. We have the system so why are we not utilizing it?
- If the Spillman software was used the way intended and built, Fire & EMS would also be integrated together into the system allowing for better management of responders and proper distribution of pertinent information for each emergency. Yet to date they have been denied access to the system.
- Deputy Chief Capper has also insisted it was of great importance to purchase a JetSki for the Lakewood Water Rescue Team. Last year a new team was formed to replace the many officers that retired from the force in recent years. Yet to date there has not been even one training session for the new team. The JetSki which was purchased with Township funds has yet to even touch the water. Summer is almost here again but no training has been scheduled.
- The LPD owns ATVs and a Polaris. ATVs are invaluable during a search allowing personnel to access terrain patrol cars can’t. The ability to travel through heavily wooded and off-road terrain can save time, resources and possibly a life. The Polaris is an off-road utility vehicle used to transport personnel and equipment. Lakewood’s Polaris also includes a tow-able all terrain patient transport trailer which is used to transport an injured person out from areas inaccessible with regular vehicles. Being that only a very select few are authorized to access and operate these vehicles, more often than not these vehicles are not utilized during emergencies. Why do we have these vehicles if they are inaccessible most of the time? Why aren’t there more officers being trained and authorized to operate these vehicles for use in emergencies?
- Purchasing practices of police vehicles need to be reviewed. Why would we purchase vehicles and then ship them to multiple vendors to install all sorts of equipment. This process wastes many months, is the cause of much aggravation, and costs a lot more. Purchasing the entire package from one vender can be quicker, simpler, and cheaper and carry a lifetime warranty.
- The Lakewood OEM under its Director, Police Chief Rob Lawson needs to be reviewed. Lakewood OEM is probably the most dysfunctional and mismanaged emergency department in our town. With thousands of tax dollars being pumped into the department it is time it’s operations and services are reviewed and its leadership replaced. Take a quick look at all the OEM department throughout New Jersey and you will be embarrassed by our OEM’s sub-par performance during any emergency. OEM’s response during Hurricane Sandy was a colossal failure and is more than enough for anyone to demand a change of leadership and complete restructuring of the department.
- It’s great to see how many volunteers we have in our town. There are applicants knocking down the doors of each and every volunteer organization throughout Lakewood offering their time. All except for one department, The Lakewood Fire Department. Why aren't there people begging to join the Lakewood Fire Department. What is wrong with this picture? Something…
Sadly, many of our departments suffer from politics and we are well aware that for years many have turned a blind eye to these issues for political reasons. But the time has come to make the necessary changes and upgrades to these departments and equip our officers properly. Now is the time to speak up and demand from the people we voted into office to take charge and improve the current state of our emergency departments.
As reported on everythinglakewood.com
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