Posts in category: Why I Volunteer

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 | Squad Captain 2014 – 2025

I have been a volunteer at The Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad since 2010. I started volunteering with the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad because I wanted to do something meaningful for my community. What I did not fully understand at the beginning was how much the Squad would become part of my life.

Over the years, I have served as an EMT, a Crew Chief, and Captain. Each role has taught me something different. As an EMT, I learned how important it is to stay calm, focused, and ready to help people on what may be one of the hardest days of their lives. As a Crew Chief, I learned how much teamwork matters. As Captain, I saw firsthand how much work happens behind the scenes to keep a volunteer organization moving.

It is not just answering calls. It is keeping schedules together. It is helping members find where they fit. It is making sure people feel supported, trained, and able to keep showing up.

That work is not always glamorous. Most of it happens quietly. But it matters.

I have volunteered while working full-time, raising a family, running a household, and managing all the normal demands of life. Like many volunteers, I had to make the choice over and over again to keep showing up. Some days were easier than others. But I stayed because the work mattered, the people mattered, and the community depended on us.

The Squad has given me more than I ever expected. It gave me skills, friendships, responsibility, and the chance to be part of something bigger than myself.

Volunteering here is not always easy. It takes time, commitment, and patience. But it is deeply rewarding. You become part of a team that shows up for people when they need help most.

That is why I volunteer. Because this community is worth showing up for, and because being part of this Squad has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.