WINTON – The Hertford County Emergency Services Department is under new guidance.

Joey Parker has been named Interim Director of Hertford County EMS following the resignation of Bobbi Piland from the post.

According to Hertford County Manager Loria D. Williams, Piland resigned effective August 10 and Parker was appointed to take the interim spot on the same day.

“I was pleased he accepted the responsibility,” Williams said. “His selection had to do with knowledge, seniority and availability.”

The manager said Parker was not the most senior member of staff, but those who have more seniority were not available to fill the post.

Since taking the responsibilities two weeks ago, Parker has done an excellent job in settling the department and working with Williams to fill the vacancies that existed.

“We worked hard to make the transition as seamless as possible,” Williams said. “Joey has pulled some double shifts because of him taking over the interim spot, but we have used some part-time and some full-time people to help through the adjustment.”

The department was down three full-time positions when Parker took over, according to Williams. As of Monday, all those positions had been filled and the department was beginning to settle down.

The EMS Director’s position is an 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. job, Williams said, but it is also more than that. The director is required to handle staffing, scheduling and is the first person on call for scheduling conflicts.

“The director is on standby almost 24-7,” Williams said.

The EMS Director is also in charge of the technical aspects of EMS, management and upkeep of vehicles and, in conjunction with the medical director, responsible for oversight of training and certification.

Hertford County is already moving forward to find a permanent EMS Director as the job has been properly advertised.

“Our personnel policy requires, as does sound management practice, that we advertise all vacancies,” Williams said. “We have advertised the director’s post and it is open until filled.”

Williams said she would like to fill the position as soon as possible.

“The department has been in enough transition and the sooner we get it settled, the better,” she said.

Parker is eligible to apply for the post under county guidelines, according to Williams. No county policy prohibits the interim to seek the permanent position.