Do I have to be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to join?
Not at all! The only thing you need to have is a willingness to be trained.
There are multiple ways to volunteer with the First Aid Squad, starting as a driver with the squad and growing from there to more direct interactions with patients as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) .
And if you are interested in pursuing an EMR or EMT-B certification, we’ll help you find available classes and provide for your books and related expenses through our donation and NJ State funds.
There are multiple ways to volunteer with the First Aid Squad, starting as a driver with the squad and growing from there to more direct interactions with patients as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) .
And if you are interested in pursuing an EMR or EMT-B certification, we’ll help you find available classes and provide for your books and related expenses through our donation and NJ State funds.
Don’t you already have enough volunteers?
We can always us more volunteers! We provide coverage 24 hours a day, every single day, and as a 100% volunteer organization, we rely upon the time and energy of our squad members to provide coverage for the 400-plus calls we cover annually. Having more volunteers gives us greater flexibility and coverage options when squad members have personal/family commitments, or when we have multiple requests for services at the same time.
Aren’t I too old to become an EMT?
Nonsense! Our volunteers come from all ages and situations – from retirees to school teachers, work-at-home professions to stay-at-home parents. Whether you are available only during the day, only at night, or even just for a couple of hours each weekend, we’re more than happy to have you join us as a volunteer. The only requirement, really, is your willingness to learn and help serve the community.
Female volunteers are especially needed. Certain types of calls, including pregnancy, domestic violence, and sexual assault are often handled more sensitively for our patients when we have female EMTs involved in our response. So even if you have no prior medical training, and can only dedicate a few hours a day, your willingness to serve may still make an enormous difference in our community.
The current NJ EMT curriculum is approximately 220 hours , which includes 10 hours of clinical hospital time. Courses are offered at a variety of locations, within and outside of Morris County, and there are generally daytime, nights/weekends, and weekend-only options available.
Female volunteers are especially needed. Certain types of calls, including pregnancy, domestic violence, and sexual assault are often handled more sensitively for our patients when we have female EMTs involved in our response. So even if you have no prior medical training, and can only dedicate a few hours a day, your willingness to serve may still make an enormous difference in our community.
The current NJ EMT curriculum is approximately 220 hours , which includes 10 hours of clinical hospital time. Courses are offered at a variety of locations, within and outside of Morris County, and there are generally daytime, nights/weekends, and weekend-only options available.
How much time do I have to dedicate?
It’s completely up to you! As a 100% volunteer organization, our squad members provide what time and energy they can to the community, working around their personal, professional, and family commitments as they see fit. While we strive to ensure basic coverage with standing night duty crews most weeknights by our volunteers, we are always at the mercy of our members and their own schedules. For this reason, we feel we can never have too many volunteers with the First Aid Squad.
Will I have an assigned “duty shift” to cover?
The Mendham First Aid Squad does not schedule shift work for our members – each member provides response on a call-by-call basis as they see fit, or as their own personal schedule allows. The amount of time given to volunteer activities is entirely up to you, although there are certain benefits of membership based on active responses and support for squad activities like Sunday Rig Checks and monthly meetings.
We have certain volunteers that have agreed to provide primary coverage for most weeknights, but can always use additional resources for secondary or complex calls that may occur at any time, day or night.
We have certain volunteers that have agreed to provide primary coverage for most weeknights, but can always use additional resources for secondary or complex calls that may occur at any time, day or night.
Can my son/daughter participate?
Yes! The First Aid Squad has a Cadet Membership for students between 16 and 18 years old, designed to given them increased familiarity with first aid activities. Many Cadet members also obtain their CPR and EMT certifications, enabling them to provide active assistance with certain types of calls. For more information, see our Cadet & College Student Program information.
Cadet membership also gives students insight to scholarship and other opportunities provided by the NJ State First Aid Council, of which the Mendham First Aid Squad participates in as part of the 8th District.
Cadet membership also gives students insight to scholarship and other opportunities provided by the NJ State First Aid Council, of which the Mendham First Aid Squad participates in as part of the 8th District.
Will my son/daughter be required to respond to calls late at night?
No. Cadet members are limited in the types of calls they can respond to, including those involving minors, as well as the times at which they can respond. No Cadet member is allowed to respond to calls before 6am or after 11pm, and we view school as the top priority over any squad activities for these members. For more information, see our Cadet & College Student Program information.
How much will it cost me to become a Driver or an EMT?
Once you have been accepted for membership, the Mendham First Aid Squad will reimburse you for approved training expenses, including initial American Heart Association (AHA) CPR for Health Care Providers training. Drivers successfully completing the Coaching for Emergency Vehicle Operations (CEVO) class will be similarly reimbursed.
For squad members, EMT-Basic Initial Certification courses are covered by state funding, while the squad utilizes donations to cover books and other materials related to EMT coursework.
For squad members, EMT-Basic Initial Certification courses are covered by state funding, while the squad utilizes donations to cover books and other materials related to EMT coursework.
I already have CPR training. Is this sufficient?
It depends. While there are a number of basic first aid and CPR courses available to the public, all members of the Mendham First Aid Squad are required to hold valid certifications under the American Heart Association (AHA) CPR for Health Care Providers curriculum.
If you have an alternate certification from AHA, such as American Red Cross, you will need to complete the specific course as required of all our members. This ensures that all squad members are trained and responding in a coordinated and consistent manner.
If you have an alternate certification from AHA, such as American Red Cross, you will need to complete the specific course as required of all our members. This ensures that all squad members are trained and responding in a coordinated and consistent manner.
What other courses do I need to take?
Those members 21 and older wishing to drive for our squad will need to complete the Coaching for Emergency Vehicle Operators (CEVO) course. Successfully completing this course may help reduce your personal vehicle insurance costs – contact your insurance company directly for more information.
Certified NJ EMTs are also required to complete a number of core and elective Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) in order to maintain certification. Currently, NJ EMTs are required to complete 24 core and an additional 24 elective CEU’s over a 3 year period to maintain certification.
All squad members are also expected to complete certain online courses regarding operating under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) organizational models, as the Mendham First Aid Squad is a critical component in our countries overall emergency response system. More information on these courses will be provided once accepted for membership. Other courses, including those addressing personal safety and protection from blood-bourne pathogens may be required as well, and may be completed via on-line or in person training offered as part of ongoing squad activities.
Certified NJ EMTs are also required to complete a number of core and elective Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) in order to maintain certification. Currently, NJ EMTs are required to complete 24 core and an additional 24 elective CEU’s over a 3 year period to maintain certification.
All squad members are also expected to complete certain online courses regarding operating under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) organizational models, as the Mendham First Aid Squad is a critical component in our countries overall emergency response system. More information on these courses will be provided once accepted for membership. Other courses, including those addressing personal safety and protection from blood-bourne pathogens may be required as well, and may be completed via on-line or in person training offered as part of ongoing squad activities.
What if I’m only available a few hours a week? Or have other time commitments, vacation plans, etc.?
As a 100% volunteer organization, your schedule is your own. We are grateful for any time you can make available to help serve the community. Whether you are available only during the day, only at night, or even just for a couple of hours each weekend, we’re more than happy to have you join us as a volunteer. The only requirement, really, is your willingness to learn and help serve the community.
How can I learn more about Membership and volunteer opportunities?
We are more than happy to provide or help facilitate training for community organizations. Please contact us through this website with your request at the earliest timeframe, so we can discuss coverage with our squad volunteers.