Brick First Aid Squad start date delayed

BY COLLEEN LUTOLF
Staff Writer

BRICK - The township's paid first aid squad was slated to begin serving Brick residents this week, but a couple of snags have delayed the May 15 start date, said police Capt. Douglas Kinney.

The three ambulances the township has received from three of the four volunteer first aid squads did not meet state standards for paid emergency medical service (EMS) rigs, Kinney said.

The rigs failed inspection because their tailpipes need to be extended 2 inches beyond the ambulances' rear bumpers, Kinney said.

"And two of the seats don't have latches," he said.

Once the rigs are fixed, a work order can be faxed to the state, and inspection certificates can be faxed back, Kinney said.

"I hope this thing gets done today or tomorrow," Kinney said Monday.

Although eight employees are scheduled to be hired, only six out of 22 people who applied for the full-time emergency medical technician (EMT) position passed the required background investigation, Kinney said.

The background investigation consists of a psychological exam, a physical and a comprehensive background check, Kinney said.

The six individuals hired will earn $31,500 in their first year on the job.

The six Brick residents hired are:

Michael J. Botts, 30, a former MONOC paramedic and Community First Aid volunteer;

Timothy L. Cranmer Jr., 22, a former Lakehurst Naval Air Station firefighter. He is also a Laurelton Fire Company volunteer;

Meghan Mees, 21, was a paid EMT in Lodi. She is also certified as a class one special police officer.

Joseph P. Sharkey, 26, a former MONOC paramedic and a volunteer with the Brick First Aid Squad.

Robert T. Contreras, 21, is also a former MONOC EMT and was previously a paid hire for Howell Township First Aid. He is a Herbertsville First Aid Squad volunteer.

Karl C. Lynch, 26, was formerly employed as an EMT at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Tinton Falls Emergency Management, LifeForce USA and Maximum Care Ambulance.

The squad should be up and running by today, Kinney said.