As paramedics, EMTs, and first responders, we often meet people on what could be the worst day of their lives. But sometimes, we get to witness something extraordinary—a moment that reminds us exactly why we do what we do.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of being part of a team that helped 91-year-old Joseph Leifkin when he needed us the most. That morning, he woke up bathed in sweat, turned to his wife, and said, "I think I’m in trouble." His wife, Marjorie, called 911, and when we arrived, we knew right away—so was he.

I barely had time to introduce myself before he grasped my hand and said words that will stay with me forever:

"Don’t let me die. Don’t let me die."

He looked at me, at my partners, and told us why he couldn’t go yet. "I love my wife so much. I can't leave her."

And then, his heart stopped.  For ten long minutes, we fought to bring him back. Chest compressions. Forced air. Everything we had.

And then—he came back.

I’ll never forget his first words when he looked up at us.

"Are those my saviors? God, I love you! I love you so much—you gave me another life!"

Fast forward to his 91st birthday—a milestone he almost didn’t get to see. Joseph and his family did exactly what he told us he had to stay alive for: they went to Ruth’s Chris Steak House for his birthday dinner. And on that same day, my team and I got to reunite with him at St. Clare’s Hospital, celebrating not just another birthday, but another chance at life. This is what emergency medicine is all about—the split-second decisions, the tireless effort, and the unwavering belief in every patient’s fight to survive.

And Joseph? He’s living proof that sometimes, a promise to the person you love is stronger than anything else in the world.

🚑 To my incredible partners, Sarah Crelin and Corrine Flammer, and to all the first responders out there—this is why we do what we do. 💙

SEE MORE

... Many don’t get paid for their round-the-clock shifts. Irwin volunteers all of her time at Delaware Township EMS. MOVAC, in Monroe N.Y., and Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps in Vernon, N.J., are both volunteer-run.

“They don’t reap any benefits except for the joy of helping somebody,” said Kevin Duffy, chief operations officer of Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “And I know that sounds cliché, but I really think it’s their mindset of making sure they are part of a community. You get a lot of self-satisfaction from helping people in their worst moment. When someone calls 911, that is their worst moment possible.”

By year’s end, Glenwood Pochuck’s team is slated to complete well over 27,000 hours volunteering. They also did more than 200 birthday drive-bys for local children during quarantine in March and April.

“We are not EMS, we are not EMTs, we are not paramedics, we are not first aiders,” said Duffy. “Who we are? We are the community. We’re here for one another. We’re here to help.”

SEE MORE

The Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps has received a site support unit that will be vitally important in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The corps is a host member of the New Jersey EMS Task Force. The new unit carries equipment such as traffic cones, folding tables, chairs, LED message boards, tents, heaters, generators, and lighting, and can be used to support any emergency medical base of operations locally and throughout the state, said Kevin Duffy, the corps’ chief operations officer. The equipment can be used to support mobile Covid-19 testing and vaccination sites.

The Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps was founded in 1980 and has been providing professional, compassionate community care to the residents of Vernon Township and all its visitors ever since. Sussex County EMS coordinators networked the Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps with the New Jersey EMS Task Force, which represents more than 200 career and volunteer EMS providers throughout the state, toward the unit’s delivery.

SEE MORE

Pass It Along developed the Discover Your Passion & Purpose workshop series to empower young individuals by helping them recognize, cultivate, and share their unique gifts and talents. Built on the belief that every person has a purpose waiting to be discovered, this program gently guides teenagers on their lifelong journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Through engaging group discussions, experiential exercises, interactive media, and games, participants explore key themes such as Self-Awareness, Gratitude, and Service, fostering a deeper connection to themselves and their communities.

Future workshops will expand on essential topics, including:
✔ Body in Balance – Understanding physical well-being and self-care
✔ Mindfulness – Cultivating presence and emotional resilience
✔ Relationships – Building healthy and meaningful connections
✔ Playfulness – Embracing joy, creativity, and spontaneity
✔ Stepping into Your Greatness – Unlocking potential and confidence

Pass It Along proudly offers the Discover Your Passion & Purpose workshop series at no cost to 8th graders, high schools, youth groups, and religious organizations across Sussex, Morris, and Warren counties.

News Article: Thursday, December 16th 2004

As a dedicated Ski Patroller, I have been committed to training, emergency response, and supporting fellow patrollers in providing high-quality care on the slopes.

🏅 Recipient of the Candidate of the Year Award – Recognized for outstanding dedication, skill, and commitment to the Ski Patrol program.
📚 Instructor Development Course Graduate – Completed advanced training to enhance my ability to educate and mentor future patrollers.
🩹 Hands-On Training & Instruction – Assisted in training dozens of providers in essential emergency skills, including basic splinting, patient stabilization, and CPR/AED use.

As a dedicated leader within Vernon Township Ambulance Squad (VTAS), I have served in multiple capacities, helping to streamline operations, improve recruitment, and enhance overall efficiency within the organization. My roles have included:

✅ Chairman of Past Committees – Led initiatives focused on strategic planning, recruitment, and operational improvements, ensuring VTAS remained a strong, community-driven organization.
✅ Trustee – Provided oversight and governance, working to secure funding, manage resources, and uphold the mission of VTAS in serving the community.
✅ Supervisor of Two Crews – Managed and guided two EMS crews, ensuring optimal response times, training standards, and seamless coordination during emergency operations.

Throughout my tenure, I focused on:
✔ Streamlining the onboarding process, making recruitment more accessible and efficient for new members.
✔ Enhancing the VTAS website and communication channels, ensuring members had easy access to critical resources, schedules, and training materials.
✔ Strengthening team coordination and operational readiness, ensuring that crews were well-trained and equipped to provide the highest level of emergency medical care.
✔ Fostering leadership development within the organization, encouraging growth and mentorship among volunteers.

As Chief Operations Officer of Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, I led efforts to expand membership from 27 to over 80 dedicated volunteers, making Glenwood Pochuck the largest volunteer EMS agency in Sussex County.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, under my leadership, Glenwood Pochuck was the only volunteer agency to continue responding while other town EMS agencies stopped. GPVAC was also designated as a New Jersey EMS Task Force Host Agency, serving Northern New Jersey with Site Support Unit 1. This unit played a critical role in fighting the pandemic, providing treatment, and administering vaccinations to protect our communities.

As the Executive Officer of the chartered organization sponsoring the troop, my focus was on streamlining the onboarding process to enhance recruitment, engagement, and overall troop operations.

Previously referred to as the "Institutional Head" (IH), this role is designated as IH on the charter application and serves as the official representative of the sponsoring organization.

✅ Revamped recruitment efforts, ensuring a more effective and engaging process for new members.
✅ Developed and improved the troop’s website, making resources, schedules, and onboarding materials easily accessible.
✅ Optimized communication channels, allowing for better coordination between leadership, parents, and scouts.
✅ Enhanced the onboarding experience, providing new members and their families with a clear path to participation and success within the program.
✅ Strengthened the relationship between the chartered organization and the Scouting program, ensuring long-term sustainability and community support.

By focusing on efficiency, accessibility, and engagement, we made it easier for families to join, participate, and thrive in the Scouting experience.

As Chief Operations Officer, I played a key role in operationally overseeing the merger of Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps—a thriving, well-established volunteer EMS agency—with Vernon Township Ambulance Squad, an agency that faced challenges due to inadequate operational leadership and frequent reliance on outside EMS agencies for assistance.

My leadership during this transition focused on:
✅ Strengthening operational structure – Implementing effective policies, leadership oversight, and improved resource management to ensure seamless operations.
✅ Enhancing response efficiency – Reducing reliance on mutual aid agencies by restructuring crew assignments, optimizing scheduling, and improving training.
✅ Integrating personnel & resources – Uniting both agencies under a cohesive operational model, ensuring volunteers had the support, training, and resources needed to provide top-tier emergency medical care.
✅ Improving community trust & service reliability – Restoring public confidence in EMS services through increased staffing, better coordination, and a commitment to operational excellence.

This merger revitalized emergency medical services in Vernon Township, creating a stronger, more reliable EMS system dedicated to serving the community with professionalism, efficiency, and high-quality patient care.