MANCHESTER – Just days from the township’s new EMS emergency medical service going on line, Police Chief Lisa Parker appointed the township’s first director of the Division of Emergency Medical Services.
Parker introduced Robert Baran on Feb. 27, head the township’s Division of EMS, which was established in April of last year. This division falls within the Department of Public Safety. Parker noted that since his hiring in December of 2019, Baran has been instrumental in assisting the police department’s staff with preparing the Division for full operation when it starts on March 1.
Baran is a resident of Ocean County and has been involved with emergency services for close to 20 years. He began his career as an EMT, and in 2008, became a New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic for Jersey City Medical Center & Atlantic Mobile Health and later served as an EMS Operational Supervisor for Cooper University Hospital in Camden, the first paramedic program started in the State of New Jersey in the two decades.
While at Cooper, Baran played a significant role in the program’s startup, developing both operational and clinical policies. There, he regularly provided operational oversight for both Advance Life Support Units and Basic Life Support Units.
“I believe that Director Baran is uniquely qualified for this position,” Chief Parker said. “As a paramedic, a career firefighter and an industry professional who has obtained advanced degrees in the areas of business, management, and leadership.
The Chief added that Baran possesses “the resume which makes him an excellent addition to the Division of EMS. Throughout his career, Director Baran has demonstrated his dedication to the communities with which he has served, and I’m proud to welcome him to Manchester Township, where I am confident that he will have the best interests of our residents in mind.”
The newly appointed director holds a Bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University in EMS Leadership & Administration, a Master’s Degree from Arizona State University in Public Safety Leadership & Administration, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University.
Baran also serves as a career firefighter and holds many certifications in technical rescue disciplines.
It was noted that with his numerous years of experience in emergency services, Baran has dedicated his life to improving emergency care for those communities in which he has served, and he has shown his desire to expand his professional and personal knowledge in areas that will allow him to provide excellent care to our residents.
