Emergency Brake Not Working Properly

What is your question?

I drive a 2003 Honda Element *manual transmission* The car drives ok, but the emergency break doesn't work properly. When I park my Element--In order to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, I have to put it into 1st gear (regardless of whether or not the Ebrake is engaged). I can't park the vehicle on any incline or slope in fear that I'll return to a car that's rolled 1/2 way down the hill! Any ideas on how to fix this? Does the Ebraking system need to be adjusted/tightened/ or replaced?