Between college, working as a career EMT, volunteering with Little Silver EMS, and playing in a band, Vinnie Lenza has a lot going on.
But what Vinnie has gained from Little Silver EMS goes far beyond field experience. Volunteering has helped him build confidence, connect with his community, and discover work that has become an important part of his life.
Here’s how Vinnie found his way into EMS — and why he believes other young adults should give it a chance.
Following His Family Into Healthcare
For Vinnie, an interest in healthcare started close to home. “My family has always been involved in healthcare, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” he said.
His dad, who volunteers with Little Silver EMS, was the one who introduced Vinnie to the squad and encouraged him to get involved. “He’s the reason I started with this squad,” Vinnie said.
Once Vinnie began taking EMR classes through Little Silver EMS, it didn’t take long for that interest to grow. “LSEMS exposed me to the world of EMS that I now find myself integrated in,” he said. “From my first few EMR classes, I knew this was something I wanted to do.”
From Volunteer to Career EMT
Those early experiences at Little Silver EMS gave Vinnie a place to learn, get comfortable interacting with patients, and gain real experience in the field.
“The calls I rode on for LSEMS prepared me for a paid squad by getting me used to interacting with patients and getting into the swing of things,” he said.
Today, Vinnie works as a career EMT while he’s away at college and returns to volunteer with Little Silver EMS when he’s home. The two experiences offer him something different. In North Jersey, he enjoys the faster pace and higher-acuity calls. Back home, it’s the community connection that stands out.
“At home, I enjoy the camaraderie that comes with serving your community,” he said.
That sense of community extends to the people he serves alongside. One of Vinnie’s favorite things about Little Silver EMS is the mix of experience levels within the squad.
“I enjoy the variety of squad member experience. Each member comes with a different type and level of experiences,” he said. “There are people who’ve never stepped foot on an ambulance, and others who’ve spent thousands of hours in one. Some that have medical experience and others that are just amazing at keeping patients calm. Being surrounded by that range of experiences gave Vinnie an environment in which he could learn from others while gradually becoming more confident in his own abilities.
Sharing the Experience With His Dad
Vinnie’s time with Little Silver EMS has also given him something he couldn’t get from a career EMT position: the opportunity to serve alongside his dad.
“The calls I’ve shared with him have become core memories of mine,” Vinnie said. “Being able to share such important work with my father was nothing short of magical.”
Volunteering has helped Vinnie grow outside of EMS, too.
“The amount of time I spend with strangers in the back of an ambulance has definitely helped me come out of my shell,” he said. “I feel more confident with others and socializing.”
For Vinnie, that personal growth is part of what makes volunteering worthwhile. “It fulfilled me to help my community in a tangible and meaningful way,” he said.
Making EMS Work With a College Schedule
For college students and young adults, finding time to volunteer can sometimes feel like the biggest barrier to getting involved. Vinnie understands that firsthand. Between school, paid EMT work, music and everything else on his schedule, he takes advantage of opportunities to volunteer when he’s home.
That flexibility is one of the things he appreciates about Little Silver EMS.
“If you have the interest and the time, it’s an extremely rewarding experience,” he said. “Even if you stick around for the summer before you head back to school, it still gives you a lot of experience that seeps into your daily life.”
His advice for someone his age who is interested in EMS but nervous about getting started is simple: “You just have to go for it!”
“It’s definitely scary and overwhelming, but the people at LSEMS will help foster your growth,” he said. “Most people don’t feel comfortable right away, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable with something, it’s always better to step back, watch, and learn.”
Ready to Find Your Place at Little Silver EMS?
For Vinnie, the biggest reason to give EMS a try goes beyond the experience you’ll gain. “If you’re struggling with finding meaning in your life like I was, EMS gives you the opportunity to find that fulfillment that may be missing.”
Whether you’re in high school or college, recently graduated, exploring a future in EMS, working full-time or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community, Little Silver EMS is a place to learn, grow, and make a difference.
Ready to see where volunteering could take you? Learn more about joining Little Silver EMS.
