Vernon Emergency Medical Services (VEMS) is proud to serve our community with faster response times and lifesaving care, handling over 1,000 calls annually. Your support during our Annual Fund Drive ensures we can continue to provide essential emergency services and treatments. No donation is too small—every contribution helps us save lives and strengthen our community.

How it Works? 

Make Your Donation:
Support Vernon Emergency Medical Services (VEMS) by making a donation online or sending a check payable to "Vernon EMS" at P.O. Box 911, Vernon, NJ 07462. Every contribution helps us provide lifesaving care to our community.

Our Partnership with Choice Marketing:
To ensure a smooth and effective process, VEMS partners with Choice Marketing to send out an initial donation request letter and, later, a friendly reminder letter. This collaboration allows us to focus on delivering emergency care while keeping you informed about how you can support our mission.

Empowering Emergency Response:
Your donation ensures that VEMS can handle over 1,000 emergency calls annually, with faster response times and access to critical treatments like Aspirin, Epinephrine, and CPAP.

Strengthening Our Community:
With your support, VEMS can continue saving lives, providing essential care, and serving Vernon Township and surrounding areas with dedication and expertise.

Important Notes for Donors:

  • Every dollar goes toward improving emergency services for your community.
  • Contributions are tax-deductible, as VEMS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
  • Donations are crucial for sustaining lifesaving programs and equipment.

Together, We Save Lives:
Your support ensures that Vernon Emergency Medical Services remains ready to serve, protecting the lives of your neighbors, friends, and loved ones.

 

At Vernon Emergency Medical Services (VEMS), we pride ourselves on being financially responsible and transparent. Here’s how we ensure accountability and effective resource management:


Comprehensive Oversight
Our Finance Subcommittee, consisting of trustees, oversees all financial operations to maintain transparency and compliance with established guidelines.


Detailed Budgeting
Each year, we develop a detailed budget that serves as our financial roadmap. Committees submit month-by-month projections to ensure accuracy and alignment. This budget is carefully reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees and our membership.


Prudent Spending

  • Purchases under $199 are approved for quick action.
  • Any expenditure over $200 or off-budget purchases require Board of Trustees' approval, and those exceeding $500 require membership consent.
  • Emergency purchases are managed with strict oversight to ensure necessity and compliance.


    • Careful Purchasing Practices
    For capital equipment or purchases above $100, we solicit proposals from multiple vendors, choosing the best value through a competitive bidding process. This ensures we get the most for every dollar spent.


    Regular Policy Reviews
    Our financial guidelines are reviewed annually to align with the evolving needs of VEMS. Any amendments are promptly communicated to all members.

    VEMS is dedicated to maintaining the trust of our community and members through these responsible and structured financial practices. Every dollar donated and spent is handled with the utmost care to ensure it goes directly toward supporting our mission of saving lives and serving the community.

    Running a volunteer organization like Vernon Emergency Medical Services (VEMS) requires significant financial resources, even with a dedicated team of volunteers. Here's a breakdown of the annual costs for just one building and three ambulances to give you a sense of what it takes to keep us operational and ready to serve our community:

    Building and Grounds Maintenance
    Keeping our facility functional and welcoming comes with an annual cost of approximately $8,500. This covers utilities, repairs, and routine upkeep.

    Insurance
    Insurance coverage is critical to protect our organization, volunteers, and the public. We allocate $7,500 annually for comprehensive policies.

    Medications and Medical Supplies
    Providing high-quality care means having life-saving medications and supplies readily available. These essential items cost about $5,500 annually.


    Training and Education
    Even as volunteers, our members undergo rigorous training to maintain certifications and improve skills. This requires an investment of $2,000 each year.


    Utilities and General Operations
    To keep our headquarters functioning efficiently, we spend about $7,700 on utilities and day-to-day operational costs.


    Uniforms and PPE
    Ensuring our team looks professional and remains safe requires an annual budget of $9,150 for uniforms and $2,250 for essential soft supplies like gloves and masks.


    The True Cost of Saving Lives
    Every year, it takes tens of thousands of dollars to run VEMS effectively. These costs are carefully managed to ensure every dollar directly supports our mission of providing life-saving care. Your donations and support help us continue to serve the community with the professionalism and reliability you deserve.

    The cost of an ambulance ride in the United States can vary significantly based on factors such as location, level of care required, distance traveled, and insurance coverage. On average, without insurance, an ambulance ride can range from $500 to over $3,500. With insurance, out-of-pocket expenses typically fall between $250 and $1,500, depending on the insurance plan and coverage.

    Factors Influencing Ambulance Costs:

    • Level of Care: Basic Life Support (BLS) services are generally less expensive than Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, which involve more comprehensive medical interventions.

    • Distance Traveled: Many ambulance services charge per mile, and the rate can vary by region.

    • Insurance Coverage: Insurance may cover part of the cost, but patients often have to pay co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance. Additionally, not all ambulance services are in-network, which can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses.

    • Geographical Location: Ambulance fees differ widely between cities and states. For example, in some areas, a BLS ride may cost around $2,900, while an ALS ride could exceed $3,200, with additional mileage fees.

    • Emergency vs. Non-Emergency: Emergency transports are usually more expensive due to the urgency and resources required.

    • Basic Supplies Fees: Patients can also be charged for basic medical supplies used during transport. These fees range from $27 to $150 for items such as aspirin, oxygen, bandages, and other essential supplies.

    • Potential for Surprise Billing: Ground ambulance services are not always covered under laws like the No Surprises Act, which can lead to unexpected bills, especially for out-of-network services.


    Sources: Information compiled from general healthcare cost databases, insurance policy reviews, regional ambulance fee studies, and research on medical and supply fees in emergency services.

    When you donate to Vernon Emergency Medical Services (VEMS), you’re directly contributing to life-saving efforts in our community. Every dollar helps cover the essential costs of maintaining our ambulances, stocking critical medical supplies, and ensuring our team is fully trained and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.


    While we are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from the Township of Vernon, which covers about 65% of our annual expenses, the remaining 35% relies entirely on fundraising and community support. These funds are crucial for maintaining our operations and ensuring that we continue to provide the high-quality care our community deserves.


    At VEMS, our leadership works tirelessly to create innovative fundraising efforts to bridge the gap. From community events to donor outreach, every initiative is designed to sustain our mission while keeping costs efficient and transparent.


    When you support VEMS, you’re not just donating—you’re saving lives. Your contributions help keep our ambulances rolling, our team equipped, and our community safe.


    Thank you for your generosity and for being a vital part of our mission! Together, we can continue to make a difference. 💙