When Wilmington firefighters Scott Monroe and Preston Stackhouse realized that traditional HR software couldn’t keep up with the demands of public safety work, they decided to set about building their own solution.
The result of this decision was a homegrown software startup designed to transform how police, fire, and emergency departments manage their people. They called it Essential Personnel.
Most HR systems have traditionally been designed for corporate environments. They can handle payroll and onboarding but not necessarily the unique data that public safety agencies rely on.
Specifically, firefighters, police officers, and EMTs operate in high-stakes environments where readiness, compliance, and mental health are as critical as performance metrics—but are not included in HR systems.
“There are tons of HR softwares,” Monroe said. “The problem is, those don’t fit the specific operational characteristics of local governments, PDs, or fire departments.”
Essential Personnel’s approach
The startup’s platform tracks a wide range of data, including (but not limited to) equipment assignments, certifications, fitness tests, and exposure to traumatic incidents. Departments can see, at a glance, who is certified, who needs retraining, and who may be at risk of burnout or trauma-related stress.
The goal is to keep agencies fully prepared to meet public safety demands and reduce fragmented information.
“We need to be able to have a holistic view of each person in the department” Monroe said, “What are their skills, what are their qualifications, what are their recent records?”
Supporting wellness
Essential Personnel’s software supports North Carolina Senate Bill 300, which requires early-warning systems to identify behavioral or performance issues in law enforcement. The platform automatically detects patterns such as repeated exposure to traumatic calls, complaints, or weapon discharges. It will also alert supervisors or peer support teams when a responder has faced a string of high-stress events.
“It’s about supporting wellness—getting officers the support, training, and tools they need to do their job,” Monroe said.
For example, after a night responding to several traumatic calls, Essential Personnel could automatically alert Officer X’s peer support partner to reach out that same evening—addressing the stress immediately rather than letting it build over time.
The system includes 27 integrated tools for tracking training, performance, and wellness. It supports mentorship and recognition programs, replacing annual reviews with continuous feedback. One of its most-used tools is 360 feedback, which enables unit members to receive commendations for strong performance and accountability when mistakes occur.
Each employee maintains a digital profile showing qualifications, performance metrics, and wellness indicators over time.
The journey so far and into the future
The company has grown steadily since its founding. Just five years in, Essential Personnel now works with more than 60 local governments in North Carolina, as well as public safety agencies across 23 states. Clients include the Raleigh Police Department, Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, and other municipal and county departments.
As Monroe said, Essential Personnel isn’t really a startup anymore. They have been consistent in their growth since 2020, and remained bootstrapped, having grown without outside investors or venture capital funding.
“We are really enjoying the journey and doing our own thing without outside influence,” Monroe said.
Pricing for Essential Personnel’s services varies based on department size, but most agencies pay a flat annual subscription that covers all features and support. Depending on the number of tools a department needs, the pricing can fluctuate as well, but all customers get the same level of attention and support.
All of Essential Personnel’s software development is done in the United States, with engineers based in Wilmington and Asheville; the founders are committed to supporting local tech talent. Developers also include many public safety professionals, including retired sheriffs, ex-marines, and a police major.
QUICK BITS
Startup: Essential Personnel
Co-Founders: Scott Monroe, Preston Stackhouse
Founded: 2020
Team size: 25
Location: Wilmington, NC
Website: essper.com
Funding: Series A
Looking ahead, Essential Personnel is focused on growth and impact. Their goal is to serve all 50 states while continuing to build tools that public safety agencies need.
“It’s about relationships and mission,” Monroe said. “I didn’t start this to make a lot of money; I come from this space, and nothing makes me happier than supporting public safety professionals.”
Police and firefighters are underpaid and under intense scrutiny, yet their work affects everyone. Essential Personnel remains committed to developing solutions that help government leaders support public safety departments, foster the development of the responders, and ensure they are fully prepared to handle any situation.
