By Stephanie Loder
Retired Ocean City Fire Chief Christopher Breunig took over as director of Egg Harbor Township Emergency Medical Services last year, but he rarely works alone.
If he’s around Town Hall or inside the EMS Ambulance Squad Building on Fire Road, Breunig – who began his career as an Egg Harbor Township communications dispatcher – is likely accompanied by his four-legged companions, Nash, a long-haired German shepherd and Belle, a rescued German shepherd and terrier mix.
Nash and Belle help first responders take the stress out of their busy and often stressful job of saving lives, Breunig said.
The workload for emergency medical services has increased year after year in the township.
In July, the township EMS responded to 840 calls and in August they responded to 796.
“The call volume has been going up. Recently, we had 11 calls in 53 minutes, and have had as many as 50 in a 36-hour period. We average 26 calls for service a day,” Breunig said.
“We are on track for over 8,000 calls this year,” he said, making the township’s department the second busiest in Atlantic County next to Atlantic City.
The township employs 20 full-time and 24 part-time emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to provide basic life support services to the residents of the township and its visitors, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said.
The township has seven ambulances, three to four of which are staffed 24 hours a day. Breunig wants to hire more part-time EMTs.
The township also has a 10-year shared services agreement with Somers Point which began in 2018.
“Most recently, we were able to increase our regular presence in Somers Point and now have an ambulance in town 24 hours a day,” he said. “We have also partnered with Shore Medical Center and utilize an office in the neighborhood of the hospital.”
“Egg Harbor Township is a whole different town. The goal is to be consistent with what we are doing,” he said.
So far, Breunig said the township’s call volume is on track to surpass last year’s numbers.
Improvements are being made within the squad building such as accommodation, living space and computer areas.
They’re also replacing old equipment. They have added new equipment and stretchers that automatically lift patients into the ambulance – minimizing the chance an EMT will get injured if they had to lift the stretcher.
EMT Stephen Lee has spent 30 years with the squad and is matter of fact about how the need for services in the township has changed.
“The population has changed. It’s grown. And every day is quite eventful for us,” Lee said.
Lee called English Creek Avenue a “back road” when he started his career. Today, he said, there is traffic throughout the day and evening.
Breunig got approval from the township to bring the dogs to work at the EMS building and other places like the township Municipal Building.
Belle sticks by Breunig’s side; he rescued her in the Carolinas after she was found abandoned and abused. Nash had been adopted by Breunig before Belle.
Both dogs were introduced to the township Mayor Laura Pfrommer at the 2023 Christmas tree lighting.
“The mayor loved them and we had her blessing,” said Breunig, who also met with the Township Committee to show them the dogs.
The dogs provide comfort to first responders after an emotionally draining call. It’s easy to see Belle and Nash obey commands, wait to be petted, and likely hope to get a treat for good behavior.
It’s also common for Breunig to get a call from the town hall with a request to bring the dogs to visit.
Nash and Belle were on hand at the Cardiff Fire Company Station 1 during a debriefing for first responders in August following a fatal crash in July in the West Atlantic City section of Egg Harbor Township. Two people – one who was pregnant – died and multiple others were injured.
Counselors were at the firehouse for the group of first responders.
Breunig brought Belle and Nash. Both are registered as service animals.
“The dogs know if someone is upset. They provide stress relief,” he said.
Breunig is no stranger to being a first responder, having started as a volunteer in Marmora when he was in high school and working as an Ocean City firefighter for over 20 years, retiring as the fire chief.
He has a long family history in Atlantic County.
Breunig’s grandfather Engelbert ‘Inky’ Breunig served as the Northfield mayor.
His grandfather also owned the Bala Inn in Somers Point in the 1970s.
Breunig is positive the changes he has planned for EMS will help the people of the township.
“We have to be ready,” he said.
Stephanie is a freelance writer with 40 years experience covering NJ news for The Asbury Park Press, The Courier Post, The Catholic Star Herald and The Press of AC. Email her at stephanieloder59@hotmail.com
