By: Edir Coronado
The Mountainside Rescue Squad held their annual EMS Week Open House event on May 21st. The open house allows community members to meet the men and women who volunteer their time to serve Mountainside residents and the surrounding towns. This year the open house event celebrated two of their member’s scholarly achievement. Eric Pastore and Lucy Fromtling both graduated college this year.
Eric Pastore, who is also Chief of the Mountainside Rescue Squad, graduated from Rutgers University in Newark, earning his Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Pastore is not only Chief at the Mountainside Rescue Squad, but is also a paid EMT at other organizations. At the moment he expressed “I am undecided on what I want to do in the future,” but he plans to continue to volunteer his time with the Rescue Squad.
Lucy Fromtling recently graduated from Rutger’s Biomedical and Health Sciences with a Master’s of Science Physicians Assistance Studies. Fromtling has been an EMT for 6 years and has used the valuable experience she gained with the Rescue Squad as a stepping stone to her ultimate goal, Physician’s assistant. Fromtling said, “I love the squad” and while she was attending Rutgers University she still volunteered her time, even though they warned her that course load would take up most of her time.
Mountainside Rescue Squad is made up entirely of volunteers and is funded only by donations and grants. Volunteers like Marty Roden, Senior EMT, who enjoys the work the squad does. He expressed “you see people on their worse days and it feels good to help them out.” He admits that “it can be a stressful job,” but he finds solace that he is working with members that are like family.
If you would like more information about the Squad please visit www.ems22.com, or call the non-emergency telephone: 908-233-6338. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to: Mountainside Rescue Squad, 1399 Route 22 East, Mountainside, NJ 07092.
(above) Eric Pastore getting is blood pressure taken.
(above) Marty Roden
(above) Lucy Fromtling and Eric
