Contact Us for Membership Information
Get Involved
There are over 15,000 people in Pequannock Township
and only 40 or so are First Aid Squad members. As the township grows in
size and diversity, we need dedicated people from a variety of
backgrounds to join our team. After all, Pequannock isn't someone else's
township - it's yours. We want to reflect that.
This is one of the most challenging jobs there is, where every call is a
test of your ability, patience, and strength of character. Not everyone
is cut out to become a member. You might be. But how can you tell if
it's right for you?
We can't explain everything about this job on one website, but we can
give you an idea of what to expect. The highs and lows, the satisfaction
and the disappointments. You might be surprised, you might be
intimidated. We hope you'll be inspired...
Eligibility
All Applicants Must Meet The Following Criteria
- Minimum age for Cadets: 16
- Minimum age for Senior Members: 18
- Complete a Professional Level CPR Course
- This can be completed after submitting your application, and is
provided by the Squad.
- Pass a background investigation conducted by the Pequannock Police
Department
- This is completed after submitting your application.
- Enjoy working with people
- Perform well in high-stress situations
Training
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.
Ride-A-Long Program
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 considerable kneeling,
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.
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. If you're interested in doing a ride-along, call us at
973-835-6987, and speak to a recruiter.
For more information on membership, send a recruiter an email at:
peqtelecom@gmail.com