About Little Silver EMS
People with heart providing life-saving care for the community
About Our Squad
When Little Silver Calls, We Show Up
Little Silver EMS is a 100% volunteer-run organization providing emergency medical care to our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Founded in 1954 by a small group of volunteers, our squad has remained entirely volunteer-run ever since. Today, approximately 35 active members respond to more than 600 calls each year, contributing thousands of hours through emergency response, training, drills, and community standby coverage.
Our volunteers aren’t outside responders. They’re your neighbors, parents, retirees, students, and professionals who live and work right here in Little Silver. They are committed to providing compassionate, professional care whenever someone in our community needs help.
Little Silver EMS maintains two ambulances and an Emergency Response Vehicle to ensure reliable care throughout the borough. With support from the community and borough funding, we haven’t missed an in-town call in over seven years. For a volunteer EMS squad, this is a rare achievement and a testament to the dedication of our team.
Beyond responding to emergency calls, our team provides on-site medical coverage at school events, races, and community gatherings throughout Little Silver.
Our Mission
We believe emergency care should come from people who know this town and love it.
What Makes Us Different
Neighbors Serving Neighbors
Deep Community Roots
Our volunteers live, work, and raise their families here. We care deeply about the people behind every call because they are our neighbors, friends, and fellow residents.
Training & Support for Every Member
Our volunteers receive ongoing training, hands-on experience, and guidance from experienced members to ensure they are prepared to provide safe and effective emergency care to the community.
Reliability You Can Count On
Our team responds day and night, ensuring Little Silver residents receive dependable emergency care from people committed to their community.
A Team That Feels Like Family
Our volunteers support one another on and off calls, building relationships rooted in trust, respect, and a shared purpose.
Growing Through Mentorship
Experience is passed down from member to member. Seasoned volunteers mentor newer ones, creating a culture of encouragement, accountability, and continuous growth.
Meet Our Leadership
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Elaina Caldera
President and Lieutenant
Elaina Caldera
President and Lieutenant
Elaina Caldera has been a Little Silver EMS member since 2012, and currently serves as President, Lieutenant, training officer, and Lead Cadet Advisor.
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Ed Christensen
Chief
Ed Christensen
Chief
Ed Christensen is an EMT and the current Chief of Little Silver EMS. He began his EMS experience in 1983 in Rochester, NY, and in 1984 enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, serving for 25 years (active and reserve) before retiring in 2009 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. Over the past 40 years, he has supported many facets of medicine, including training commands, hospitals and clinics, field operations, hospital ships, and humanitarian aid. When asked why he volunteers in EMS, his answer is simple: when you arrive in response to a 911 call, someone is having a bad day, and you have the opportunity to make a difference.
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Katie Davis
Vice President
Katie Davis
Vice President
Katie Davis is the Vice President of Little Silver EMS, where she also serves as an EMT and Crew Chief. Professionally, she is a nurse practitioner, healthcare executive, and founder of HealthShift Leaders, where she helps national healthcare organizations strengthen operations, scale thoughtfully, and improve care delivery. She enjoys volunteering with Little Silver EMS to give back to the community and make a meaningful impact close to home.
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Susan Friedman
Recording Secretary
Susan Friedman
Recording Secretary
Susan Friedman is an Emergency Medical Responder and Recording Secretary with Little Silver EMS. With over thirty years of experience driving brand transformation and growth for technology companies, Susan is known for creating digital and event experiences that elevate brands and expand markets. She was drawn to Little Silver EMS to give back to the community that supported her in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
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May Truxal
Corresponding Secretary
May Truxal
Corresponding Secretary
May Truxal has been a member of Little Silver EMS for 24 years and currently serves as an EMT, previously serving as President of the squad. She is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner and adjunct nursing professor, and also volunteers as a registered nurse with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Monmouth County. May finds volunteering with LSEMS incredibly rewarding and values the opportunity to help her neighbors and serve the community.
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Tony Zajac
Treasurer and Captain
Tony Zajac
Treasurer and Captain
Tony Zajac serves as Captain and Treasurer for Little Silver EMS and is also Captain of the Little Silver Fire Police and a member of the Water Rescue Team. After a long career in banking technology in New York City and time as an adjunct math professor at William Paterson University, he retired and dedicated more of his time to volunteering in Little Silver. Tony finds serving his community immensely rewarding and enjoys lending a hand where it matters most—right at home.
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Peter Giblin
Trustee
Peter Giblin
Trustee
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Amy Hirsch
Trustee
Amy Hirsch
Trustee
Amy is a trustee with the and has been a member for 45 years. Over the years, she has served as Captain twice and held a variety of additional leadership and operational roles within both the line and business sides of the organization. It has been her honor to serve the community throughout her time with LSEMS.
Beyond helping others, her service has also had a meaningful impact on her own life. Through the years, she has had the privilege of meeting countless people who became lifelong friends while learning invaluable lessons along the way. Amy became an EMT in 1981 and later served as an instructor for a period of time. She finds comfort in being able to help people of all ages and assist neighboring towns whenever needed. -
Michael Very
Trustee
Michael Very
Trustee
Michael Very serves as a Trustee for Little Silver EMS. He joined LSEMS as a cadet in 2002, became an EMT in 2004, and later served as Captain after working his way through the ranks as a line officer. He holds a Masters in Medical Science with a concentration in Physician Assistant Studies from Yale University. Professionally, Mike works as a Physician Assistant at Riverview Medical Center Intensive Care Unit. He is also a paramedic, flight paramedic, and Little Silver firefighter. A cancer survivor, Michael credits his own experience as a patient with reinforcing his passion for healthcare and helping others. Beyond EMS, he volunteers with Dream Street, a camp for children with serious illnesses. When asked why he continues to volunteer, Michael says it’s simple: “When you really make a difference, it means the world.”
When Little Silver Calls, We Show Up
What if next time, it’s you? Whether you’re exploring ways to serve, support, or simply learn more about Little Silver EMS, we’d love to start the conversation.