NOW HIRING:
The First Full Time EMT 

Prior to 2014, Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad (Station 178) and Vincentown Emergency Squad (Station 179) provided EMS as completely volunteer organizations. 

As the 21st century came out, call volume continued to grow at an exceptionally high rate while the ability to find volunteers declined due to increasing costs, training requirements, and increasing demand for services meaning more time spent away from home and loved ones. These trends continued from the late 2000's into the early 2010's.

As such, Vincentown Emergency Squad closed it's doors in 2013, making Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad the sole Emergency Medical Services provider for Southampton Township. 

HLES was faced with a choice, continue as things were or bring on paid personnel to assist with staffing the ambulances during times when volunteer were not around. HLES decided on the latter and hired it's first paid EMTs in 2014. 

A small group of about 20 EMTs were hired as per-diem employees to staff the weekdays from 0600-1800 when most volunteers were at their jobs. 

Per-Diem employment is a common thing in EMS and the healthcare system. These employees work at will with no benefits, no guaranteed hours, and no retirement plan (no 401K, no pension, etc.). These employees usually work multiple jobs or go to school full time, working on the side. A majority of EMS organizations utilize this model for employment due to the low cost, however, this comes at the cost of low retention. 

As time went on, call volume continued to increase and the role of the paid personnel increased and slowly over time, began covering round the clock to ensure EMS coverage. 

Today, HLES is a combination career and volunteer department with per-diem EMTs and volunteer EMTs. This model has been sustainable for us over the past 8 years BUT we need to plan for the future. 

As with most things in life, EMS continued to become more and more time consuming in both response and administration. As much, HLES is looking to hire its first full time EMT who will be able to given some much needed longevity, consistency, and knowledge to the organization.