"This is not a question of if an accident will happen, but rather when the next one will occur," said Andrews.   According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 113 pedestrians were killed by trains on New Jersey train tracks from 1994 to 1999.  This represents more than one out of every ten such fatalities nationwide. "For every $100 New Jersey Transit takes in each day, it would cost about 25 cents to make these neighborhoods safer.  New Jersey Transit should act now--and not after another tragedy occurs."

Beginning in May 2000, Andrews wrote and called New Jersey Transit six times on behalf of the Westerby family.    NJ Transit denied the request because it claimed that fencing the entire length of track they maintain would cost in excess of $300 Million to construct and $11 Million per year to maintain.

But New Jersey Transit's numbers do not add up.  New Jersey Transit claims that fencing would cost $ 17.47 a foot.  A check with the local Home Depot, however, shows the real cost is only $1.66 per foot.  A realistic cost estimate for construction of the fences is approximately $21M out of a $1.13 Capital budget.   Andrews pointed out that this does not take into account savings in settlement and litigation costs from deaths and injuries that would not occur.

"The right and affordable policy is to build these fences and protect people like the Westerbys," said Andrews.  "I hope New Jersey Transit does what is right--but I am prepared to go forward in Washington with legislation that will require them to do what is right, if necessary," the Congressman said.     

As part of an entire day devoted to averting disasters in South Jersey, Rep. Andrews participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Billingsport Road overpass in Paulsboro.  Rep. Andrews obtained over $8 Million in federal transportation funding to create the overpass.  Freight trains traveling through the town would frequently block traffic on Billingsport Road and cut off one side of town from fire, police and EMS services.  

The construction of this bridge provides the emergency responders a route to the other side of town and allows them to respond in a more timely manner.  Paulsboro leaders such as Councilwoman Jeanne Giampola have pursued this project for decades.  Andrews commended the work of Mayor John Burzichelli and past Mayors and council members for their work on the project.

Next, Rep. Andrews went to the Maple Shade Ambulance Squad Headquarters to meet with members of the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Coalition to highlight his efforts to prevent Medicare from implementing a proposed rule that would severely cut payments for paramedic services.   Presently, Medicare reimburses hospitals on average $525.00 per call for Advanced Life Support services (ALS) by paramedics.  Last year, federal Medicare administrators proposed cutting the reimbursement to an average $172.00 per call, effective January 1, 2001.  This cut would have forced many hospitals in South Jersey to cut back on ALS services.  This would mean that paramedics who presently assist local volunteers and commercial ambulance services would no longer be available in life-threatening medical emergencies.  

Currently, New Jersey paid and volunteer squads work in conjunction with the ALS units to administer care to patients suffering life-threatening injuries and illnesses.  Typically, these squads arrive on scene to administer basic life support and transport the patient to an emergency room.  In critical situations, the squad is aided by an ALS paramedic who then rides with the squad to administer advanced care to the victim.  Without ALS paramedics, seriously ill or injured patients would not receive the appropriate life-saving ALS treatment during the crucial time period en route to the hospital.  

Rep. Andrews together with the entire New Jersey Congressional Delegation have joined forces to oppose the implementation of this new Medicare fee schedule. As a result of this action, the regulations have been postponed indefinitely.  

"We stopped this ill-advised decision," Andrews said.  " Now we must work together to drive a stake through its heart."

Rep. Andrews continued his day in Bellmawr at the Bellmawr Fire Company #1, where he hosted a briefing sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designed to educate South Jersey's emergency management personnel, police and fire officials on a variety of programs and resources available through FEMA.  FEMA officials offered suggestions to those in attendance on how FEMA works with local and state authorities to provide disaster assistance and prevention.  Over 50 local public safety leaders attended the roundtable briefing on disaster preparedness.
 

Rep. Andrews concluded his day at Computer Sciences Corporation in Mt. Laurel, where he discussed his efforts to combat cyberterrorism.  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he has been working with the National Security Agency (NSA) to develop legislation to harden existing governmental and civilian infrastructures from the threat posed by computer hackers.  Last year, the President signed into law legislation authored by Rep. Andrews to provide loan guarantees to provide incentives to private companies to protect public infrastructures such as air traffic control systems and the Nation's power grid from the threat of Internet saboteurs.   Andrews discussed new legislation he will introduce this Spring to protect our nation's power grid, telecommunications, air traffic control and other vital systems.