Here's What We Do
Pequannock Township is home to over 15,000 people, yet fewer than 50 serve as First Aid Squad members. As our community grows in size and diversity, we need dedicated individuals from all backgrounds to join us. Pequannock isn’t just anyone’s township—it’s yours, and we want our team to reflect that.
Becoming a squad member is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles you can take on. Every call tests your skill, patience, and resilience. It’s not for everyone, but it might be for you.
We can’t capture everything about this job on one webpage, but we can give you a glimpse of what to expect—the highs and lows, the triumphs and challenges. It might surprise or intimidate you, but most of all, we hope it inspires you to take the next step.
Think You Have What It Takes?Fill Out an Application Today!
Nature of EMS Work
People’s lives often depend on the quick recognition and care of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Incidents or calls for help fall into three basic categories: Emergency calls, Non-Emergency calls and Public Service calls. Emergency calls include automobile accidents, heart attacks, falls with various injuries, diabetic emergencies, difficulty breathing and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical response and attention. EMS personnel also respond to non-emergency call requests that involve the transporting of patients to and from a medical facility. Public service calls are assigned as emergency or urgent calls at the time of dispatch and are only then classified public service calls after EMS or other public safety personnel assess the situation. These types of calls may or may not involve a patient at time of dispatch or may not result in treatment and/or transport to a hospital. For example, we will respond to fire standbys, carbon monoxide and medical alert alarm activations, as well as motor vehicle accidents with unknown or possible injuries. The Squad also provides public education training and health-monitoring programs, such as blood pressure monitoring clinics.
Working Conditions
We work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. The work schedules vary widely due to the nature of providing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week services. Members are required to do considerablekneeling, bending and heavy lifting without notice or certainty of the needs for the service. Safety is a very important training component that involves proper lifting and moving techniques, an annual review of contagious diseases such as Hepatitis and AIDS virus to avoid exposure, and due to societal violence, a heightened awareness of avoiding personal harm while attempting to provide emergency care. In addition to the physical demands of EMS, Squad members must learn to manage the emotional drain that occurs after being exposed to patients and their families who endure pain and suffering or face life-or-death situations. Nonetheless, helping someone in need or correcting a life-threatening situation can be the most rewarding experiences you will ever encounter.
Training
Ride Along
All members are trained to the following standards, and all training is provided to Squad Members at no charge.
Initial Training: The first training a member receives is Professional CPR, and basic first aid.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): Members are encouraged to continue their training to become an Emergency Medical Technician. This is a 120-hour state approved course, training personnel at the Basic Life Support level. Training includes advanced first aid, oxygen administration, vital sign monitoring, spinal and extremity immobilization, emergency labor and delivery, and other non-invasive skills. Courses are held throughout the year, at numerous locations around the area. As a result, most members are able to find a course that works well with their existing schedule.
Not quite sure if you’re cut out for EMS work? Want to “test the waters” first? We offer prospective members, over the age of 18, the opportunity to ride for a few hours of a shift with a crew. While you’re observing, you can get a feel for what it’s like to be on an actual emergency where seconds count.
During your time with us your crew leader for the evening will show our equipment, crew members will explain what it is like to ride for the squad and you will witness first hand what it is like to be part of a first aid squad.
We understand that this line of work is not for everyone and because of this program you will have the ability to see for yourself what it is like to ride for a nationally recognized organization. If you’re interested in doing a ride-along, call us at 973-835-6987, and speak to a recruiter.
Working Conditions
We work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. The work schedules vary widely due to the nature of providing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week services. Members are required to do considerablekneeling, bending and heavy lifting without notice or certainty of the needs for the service. Safety is a very important training component that involves proper lifting and moving techniques, an annual review of contagious diseases such as Hepatitis and AIDS virus to avoid exposure, and due to societal violence, a heightened awareness of avoiding personal harm while attempting to provide emergency care. In addition to the physical demands of EMS, Squad members must learn to manage the emotional drain that occurs after being exposed to patients and their families who endure pain and suffering or face life-or-death situations. Nonetheless, helping someone in need or correcting a life-threatening situation can be the most rewarding experiences you will ever encounter.
All Applicants Must Meet The Following Criteria
Minimum age for Cadets: 16
Minimum age for Senior Members: 18
Complete a Professional Level CPR Course
Pass a background check
Enjoy working with people
Perform well in high-stress situations
Upon completition of a squad membership application and meeting with a membership recruiter, perspective members will be scheduled a CPR class, scheduled time for a background check and set for the next available EMT course.
Join the few that sacrifice a lot for their community. By click on the button to the right you will be directed to an online membership application. This application will give a membership recruitor basic information about you. That same recruitor will contact you within 48 hours to further your membership application process.