Princeton Packet
28 October, 1986

Naples’ bill on lifemobile introduced

TRENTON — A $400,000 appropriation would be made to Mercer County for the purchase of a fourth lifemobile under legislation introduced Monday by Assemblyman Gerard Naples (D-Mercer).

“Despite relatively small populations in the Windsors, Princeton, Hopewell and Pennington, these municipalities are large in area,” Assemblyman Naples said. “Thus, there is definitely need for this measure.”

Northern Mercer County, from East Windsor to Hopewell, is in need of improved service, he has said.

Assemblyman Naples became concerned when he learned of the regulations involved in obtaining federal funding for the purchase of a mobile intensive care unit.

He decided that securing state fund-ing would be the best avenue for solving the problem in Mercer County. Of the state’s 60 lifemobiles, three are stationed in Mercer County, with one each in Trenton, Princeton and Hamilton.

Both residents and local officials have been seeking an additional life-mobile for several months. The $400,000 sought under Assemblyman Naples’ measure would fund the purchase and outfitting of the vehicle, finance the training of staff, and pay salaries for one year.

If a fourth lifemobile is purchased, Assemblyman Naples said Mercer County’s other three vehicles would be able to concentrate on the more densely populated areas in the southern part of the county, such as Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton and Lawrence.

The bill is “legislation that will save lives,” he stated.

If signed into law, the bill would mandate that $400,000 in general funds be included in the state’s fiscal 1987 budget for the purchase.