Brick Police EMS Marks 15 Years Of Service

BRICK, NJ — For decades, Brick Township relied on volunteers to provide first aid in emergencies. Whether it was at car accidents, house fires or other emergencies, volunteers were there.

That started to change with the turn of the 21st century, as people grew busy and had less time for volunteering, and requirements increased for first aiders.

So Brick Township officials started a paid emergency services crew, with paramedics dedicated to responding around the clock seven days a week.

The six men and women who comprised the first members of the paid staff answered their first call on May 18, 2006, according to a post on the EMS's Facebook page marking the anniversary.

"(Fifteen) years ago, 6 young men and women crossed the threshold of the Brick Municipal Building for orientation, kickstarting the agency we have become today," the Facebook post said. The EMS staff now includes 27 full-time and 28 part-time EMTs.

Since then the township's paid EMS has answered more than 100,000 calls and grown into a full-time 24/7 EMS service.

Brick's EMS crews provide "high-quality BLS (basic life support) treatment, training opportunities, public education and special operations support to Brick and the surrounding communities," the post noted.

"It has been quite a journey, facing many challenges, most recently our greatest challenge the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the future remains bright," the post said. "It also happens to fall on the start of 2021 EMS Week. Thank you to all BTPD EMS members, past and present for making us one of the most reputable EMS agencies in the State of New Jersey. Happy 15 year anniversary and Happy EMS Week!"