All posts by : mshvfas

Howard Weinstein | June 22, 2023

My name is Howard Weinstein, and I am a criminal defense lawyer in Millburn. I also run an e-commerce business, MonsterFlashlight.com, from my downtown Millburn office. However, my most fulfilling role is that of a volunteer EMT on the Millburn Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad. I have been a member of Crew 4 for the past 15 years, and we ride Tuesday nights.

I joined MSHVFAS because I wanted to give back to the community that I live and work in. As a lawyer and business owner, I spend a lot of time in the office, and I wanted to find a way to make a direct impact on people’s lives. Becoming an EMT seemed like the perfect opportunity to do just that. MSHVFAS has definitely lived up to my expectations, and then some. I was surprised by just how intense and rewarding the experience would be. Every call is different, and every patient presents a new challenge. I love the camaraderie that comes with riding on a crew, and I enjoy the feeling of being part of a larger community of volunteers who are all working towards the same goal.

I believe that I have made an impact on the community through my work on the squad. As a criminal defense lawyer, I often see people at their worst. As an EMT, I have the opportunity to help people at their most vulnerable. During the height of the COVID pandemic, the gratitude that the people of Millburn expressed towards the members of the squad was overwhelming. It was an honor to be able to help in any way that I could.

In addition to riding Tuesday nights, I also served as a MSHVFAS trustee for three years. Volunteering has allowed me to stay connected with the community and make a positive impact on the town that I call home. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a member of the Millburn Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad. It has allowed me to give back to the community in a meaningful way, and has provided me with countless rewarding experiences over the past 15 years. I would encourage anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer EMT to give it a try – you won’t regret it!

James Felzenberg | November 3, 2016

I’ve been a member of the Millburn–Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad since 2010. I currently serve the squad as an EMT member, a Crew Chief, 1st Lieutenant of the squad, and a Trustee. As a lifelong resident of Short Hills, I wanted to give back to a community which has been very good to my family for the last 50 years.

Looking for a meaningful opportunity to volunteer, I took the State of NJ EMT course at MSHVFAS in 2010. Since then I have ridden on both day and night crews, and enjoy the service very much. In addition to riding my weekly commitment of a 12-hour shift and weekend shifts in regular rotation, I was able to allot some additional hours of service and take on additional responsibilities. All of the work I do is voluntary and very rewarding.

The initial training I received to become a NJ Certified EMT was provided free of charge through the squad, which also provides all ongoing training and required continuing education to all active members. I had no previous skills in the medical field, only the desire to learn a new skill set and volunteer in my community. Since becoming an EMT, I have been able to care for aging family members, and sick or injured friends with a “calm confidence,” a skill that is perfected with years of service on MSHVFAS.

The MSHVFAS also offers a great opportunity to engage with fellow residents socially and professionally while on duty and at training events. I have made many close friends serving at the squad and we all have a common interest: volunteering and caring for members of our community.

I have a 10-year-old daughter who is very interested in the work I do at the squad. She loves attending all demonstrations, parades, street fairs, and other events in town with me. She looks forward to earning her EMT certification when she is 16, and then joining the MSHVFAS cadet program. Should you ever see us around town please introduce yourself and say “Hi!”

Steven Song | October 1, 2016

I joined the MSHVFAS when I was 16 as a cadet and I rode along during my junior and senior years of high school. The first aid squad has provided me with skills and lessons that I honestly didn’t expect.

How to communicate better

When I first joined the squad, I was shy and had trouble talking to people. My position at the squad helped me overcome this. Over the weekends, we generally rotate crews and this allowed me to meet new people every week. Learning to communicate better and more openly with my crewmates directly translated into my patient care. In any emergency situation, communication is crucial to providing efficient and effective care. I developed the communication skills necessary for being an EMT at the first aid squad.

How to work on a team

My second year at the squad, I changed my shift and started riding on Wednesday nights. Going into that I was nervous. At first I was anxious riding with a new team, but on the first night they made me feel included. They talked to me not like some stranger but like a member of the crew. From the first call I could tell they knew each other very well; they ran like a well- oiled machine. Everyone knew what was expected of them and they just did it. They helped me figure out my role on the team and they became my friends. Maybe it was from the weekly dinners or the relatively quiet nights, but imagine: I’m an 18-year-old, making friends with people with kids my age. Everyone at the first aid squad is welcoming, friendly and wants to be there (we are volunteers after all!) and being a member is so rewarding.

Melissa Campbell | December 1, 2016

I have been a volunteer at The Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer
First Aid Squad since 2010 and I have been the Captain since 2014, and am looking forward to leading

the squad again in 2017. This is going to be a great year and we want to involve

more townspeople in the awesome work that we do.

Our trained and certified Emergency Medical Technicians are always eager to assist, whether it be a 9-1-1 emergency call, a stand-by at a race in town, keeping people safe at strawberry festivals and high school football games, or representing the squad in town-wide events, parades and the like. We make a difference to the lives, health and safety of the town residents and those who work and visit our town. You can too! We offer the training required to become a volunteer EMT at our squad building at 188 Glen Avenue, as well as other locations in the area. The course can be taken at no cost for town residents aged 21 and over. You will gain a tremendous amount of useful knowledge and skills that can be utilized in volunteering and in your daily life as well.

Come join our ranks, make a difference, and make some good friends too! Day, evening, and weekend shifts are available. Send us an email at info@mshvfas.org to learn more.