Being a first aid squad member has many benefits

Anew year, coupled with the troubled economy, has many New Jerseyans re-examining their future and re-evaluating priorities. People today endeavor to spend their time more productively and make a difference.

One sure way to positively impact many lives, including your own, is to join your local volunteer first aid squad. Shrinking municipal budgets, New Jersey's aging population, congested roads and the ever-present threat of terrorism are just some of the reasons EMS volunteers are indispensable.

Being an EMS volunteer:

• Instills a sense of pride and accomplishment;

• Enables one to knowledgeably aid friends, community members and even strangers in times of dire need;

• Helps keep down local taxes;

• Provides opportunities to learn life-saving skills that can prove useful anywhere, any time.

In addition, the volunteer EMS experience has helped steer people of all ages toward paid careers in healthcare, which are more recession proof than most occupations. Because many people find their EMS experience so rewarding, they often continue volunteering for years, sometimes decades.

The 80-year-old nonprofit New Jersey State First Aid Council representsmore than 20,000 EMS volunteers affiliated with 365 first aid and rescue squads. For help in launching your volunteer EMS career, visit www.njsfac.org or call 732-988-9110.
Sue Van Orden
President
New Jersey State First Aid
Council
Lincoln Park