By Maureen Werther
E5 Support Services of Queensbury offers a vital training and staffing service to local first response agencies in Essex, Warren, Rensselaer, Albany and Saratoga counties.
Owner Douglas Wildermuth, a certified paramedic and EMT, decided to start the company two years ago, because many agencies were in violation of the federal law governing the practice of hiring people who have also served in a voluntary capacity in emergency response agencies.
As his website states, “E5 Support Services was created to fit the needs of today’s First Response Agencies.” E5 offers consulting, training and staffing and currently employs 5 people who work with 4 different agencies. And the numbers are growing.
The laws governing the training and hiring of people for this much-needed community service are somewhat confusing, but, in a nutshell, the Department of Labor laws make it illegal for agencies to rehire their own people for the same job. Still confused?
Department of Labor Letter June 19, 2006. NYS Regulation 12 NYCRR 142-3.12 states: “A person may do volunteer work for a not-for-profit organization and also be paid for work with the same organization provided that the services performed in volunteer work are not the same type of services for which he/she is paid. In this situation, a person paid for work as a driver may not perform volunteer work as a driver, and a person paid for work as an EMT may not perform work as an EMT.”
The law goes on to explain, “Congress did not intend to discourage or impede volunteer activities undertaken for civic, charitable, or humanitarian purposes, but expressed its wish to prevent any manipulation or abuse of minimum wage or overtime requirements through coercion or undue pressure upon individuals to ‘volunteer’ their services. (c) Individuals shall be considered volunteers only where their services are offered freely and without pressure or coercion, direct or implied, from an employer.(d) An individual shall not be considered a volunteer if the individual is otherwise employed by the same public agency to perform the same type of services as those for which the individual proposes to volunteer.” E5 Support Services can handle Department of Labor issues that agencies encounter, and they also deal with personnel matters to ensure quick resolution to issues that invariably arise.
Wildermuth and his staff of certified paramedics, and EMTs are accredited as instructors and coordinators to provide paramedic and EMT training. Among the other services offered by E5 is a thorough interview, evaluation, and background check process to ensure that an agency has the best and most qualified staff. In addition, E5 teaches all paid staff the necessary OSHA requirements, and they invite volunteer staff to train at no additional charge.
If you are interested in learning more about how E5 Support Services can help your agency, visit their website at www.E5SupportServices.com or call Wildermuth at 361-0218. He can also be reached at dougwildermuth@e5supportservices.com.