Michael Gargiullo and Donald Dezarn were honored by the Township Council last month for their volunteer service to the community.
By: Michael Arges
EAST WINDSOR It is better to give than to receive, said Michael Gargiullo and Donald Dezarn, winners of the Emergency Medical Technician of the Year awards announced at the May 22 Township Council meeting.
The satisfactions of being a volunteer EMT far outweigh the time commitment, both insisted in interviews this week.
"I receive back far more than I give," said Mr. Dezarn, East Windsor Rescue Squad No. 2 EMT of the Year.
"It’s one of the greatest things you can do," added Mr. Gargiullo, the EMT of the Year for Rescue Squad No. 1.
Mr. Gargiullo first got involved in the rescue squad because of friends, but was soon hooked by the special opportunity to help at crucial times in people’s lives.
"I started hanging out with some friends of mine who were members," he said, "and they threw me an application and said, ‘Here, why don’t you join?’ I got on the ambulance once and I saw the look on somebody’s face when we came to help them it’s really hard to describe, it just hits you inside.
"There’s nothing like it," Mr. Gargiullo added. "No matter what you do, no matter how much money you give, it doesn’t beat looking into a new mother’s eyes as she gives birth, or easing the pain for someone."
Mr. Dezarn was named captain of Rescue Squad No. 2 after only one-and-a-half years on the squad, noted squad President Rita Teubner.
"He’s really made his way up," she said. "He’s got it together; he rides the calls."
Mr. Dezarn modestly credits his work schedule for his ability to be part of so many rescues.
"I’m kind of lucky; I normally work from about (noon) to 8:30, so that way I don’t have to worry about getting up and catching a bus into the city at 5:30 in the morning, so I can answer a lot of calls," he said. "Most people don’t have that luxury. They pick one night a week when they can give it some time. I can do it seven nights a week. That’s how it’s worked for me."
Mr. Dezarn is dining services manager at Princeton University’s graduate college.
"He’s completed his training he did it all within the first year," Ms. Teubner added. "That’s a lot for somebody who works full time. It’s a big deal to get it all done."
Mr. Dezarn said he is grateful for the more experienced EMTs, who have helped him learn how to be encouraging and cheerful for patients and their families.
Mr. Gargiullo is president and rescue lieutenant for Rescue Squad No. 1. As rescue lieutenant he is in charge of the heavy rescue unit.
"On the District 1 side, on the west side of town, we run a heavy rescue truck and team to take care of things like extricating people from motor vehicles, and assisting fire departments with structure fires," he said.
"Both EMTs of the Year have gone above and beyond the basic duties of an EMT," Ms. Teubner noted. "They’re always the first to volunteer to take things on, like the Memorial Day Parade and July 4th at Etra Park."
For example, Mr. Dezarn got involved with the senior citizens’ holiday party he chaired it the following year, she added.
"He always volunteers for those extra duties," Ms. Teubner said.