We are most in need of volunteers during the day. Regular shifts during the day are 6am - 10am, 10am - 2pm, and 2pm-6pm. Mornings and afternoons are when we need the most help. Each Day-Team member is asked to sign-up for a minimum of two (preferably three) 4 hour shifts per week. We realize that you may have unique needs and can work with you to customize a special daytime schedule outside the shift structure.

 

We also have evening duty teams. Evening shifts are 12 hours once a week from 6pm to 6am plus a weekend 24-hour shift once a month.

 

For both teams there are additional requirements like attendance at monthly meetings, training/drills, special event standbys, sign-up shifts and other miscellany. If you can't make a shift, then other members are usually available to fill-in or switch a shift.

 

We are a busy suburban squad. We answer about 2900 calls per year, which is about eight per day. It's typical for more than half to fall during the daytime hours.

You are only expected to respond to calls when you are at the building. The Minute Men has sufficient call volume that we try to always have two crews officially on-duty at the building at all times. If a 911 call comes in while all crews are out, and there are no other members available at the building, then an all-call may be issued. Once you are an EMT, you may request a pager that will allow you to hear if there is an all-call. You should not "rush" to the building. We do not allow members to use "blue-lights" or emergency lighting of any type on their own cars. Whether you respond while off-duty, or even if you keep your pager on, is up to you. If you are at the building for any reason, however, you are expected to respond to an all-call if possible.

No. There are other volunteer opportunities that are more appropriate for a short-term activity. You might consider volunteering at the hospital, or other organizations that may need short-term help.

Our squad needs EMTs to answer 911 calls. A new recruit takes a few months to a year to pass the EMT class and then a while after that to get the experience to be a productive EMT. During this one to two years we are investing time and money in the new member as a trainee. Just insuring a new member costs us a great deal. So it's not helpful for us (and in fact it hurts us) to take on a trainee for less than two years, and then have them leave before they've started contributing.

We need our volunteers to be a member long enough to actually get some benefit from all the time, money and effort we put into their training. If join for the summer and go to college, the whole time as a trainee, and the squad will never see any contribution from you as a productive EMT, but it will cost us a great deal. Our operations are paid for by donations from the townspeople. It's not fair for them to pay for your insurance and training and never see any benefit.

If have a good-faith belief that you will be able to volunteer for at least two years, then we would like you to apply. If after three or six months it doesn’t work out, you can resign with no hard feelings.

No previous experience is required. Our members come from all walks of life, and most of us have no medical background. To become an EMT you will go through a ~250-hour class to learn how to address immediate life threats and bleeding, as well as immobilization of injuries for safe transport and basic assessment of medical problems. EMTs are not "junior doctors." We do not diagnose and do not dispense medications (other than oxygen and sugar). We don't give shots or start IVs. We are trained in using a defibrillator to shock certain heart problems.

The EMT class is rigorous. You will learn many things about how to help people with broken bones, chest pains, difficulty breathing, etc. Once we address immediate life threats and safely "package" our patient, however, the priority is to get them quickly and safely to the hospital where a doctor will actually address their medical needs.

Again, there is no previous experience required. Our members come from all walks of life, and most of us have no medical background. All training is at no cost to you. New members are required to become "Professional CPR" certified immediately. Within the first year of joining you are required to take the ~250-hour EMT class as well as a number of other shorter classes. Classes are offered in a variety of locations during the day or evening/weekend. Most people take the class at the nearby Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. There are additional ongoing classes required after this as well, which will count towards your recertification every three years. All the costs of training (other than the textbook) are covered by the State of New Jersey's EMT Training Fund -- which is funded by a surcharge on moving violations.

You will need to pay for your EMT textbook when you start EMT class. However, you may apply for reimbursed by the Minute Men when you successfully complete your probationary period.

While many squads do require you to be a certified EMT before riding on the ambulance, the Minute Men instead use this time for on-the-job training. As soon as your application is accepted and you are assigned a shift you will begin riding on the ambulance, responding to 911 calls. At first you will observe, but gradually you will be trained and allowed to perform helping tasks. This real-world experience will help you when you take your EMT class.

All kinds. The most common calls are for difficulty breathing and chest pains. Other calls include car accidents, diabetic emergencies, seizures, strokes, falls, sports injuries, workplace injuries, dizziness/nausea, severe nosebleeds, intoxication, psychological problems, childbirth, assaults, overdoses, you name it.

The safety of the responding crew is paramount. An EMT should not put himself or herself in any situation they feel is unsafe, and should retreat if they feel the scene has become unsafe for any reason. It's the first rule you learn and we all live by it. For almost all of our calls the police and/or fire department will arrive at the location before the ambulance. They have the specialized training and equipment to make the scene safe before we consider entering.

You are required to wear a uniform. The Minute Men will issue you a shirt or jacket as the weather requires. You will have to supply your own shoes. You should wear black boots for your own protection. You can get inexpensive ones for less than $50. If you choose steel-toed boots it will be more expensive. You must bring and wear a wristwatch with a second hand. There are no dues. The state of New Jersey now pays for all education of volunteer EMTs, other than the textbook (~$100) which you can be reimbursed for after completing your probation. Any other supplies or equipment you need are kept by the Minute Men for the use of members on calls. Some members choose to purchase their own accessories (like a stethoscope) but this is not required. Most members use the squad-provided equipment.

You shouldn't become an EMT for the benefits. No one at the Minute Men is paid or compensated in any way, except for very generous thanks that you will hear from almost every patient you help. However there are some rewards given to all EMTs by other entities in appreciation for service. CCM offers a significant tuition credit for volunteer EMTs. Verizon Wireless offers a 10% discount on you cellular bill. Borders often has discounts for healthcare workers. Jeep occasionally offers discounts as well. Residents of Morris Township are eligible for free pool membership, which is a substantial benefit.

The Minute Men carries insurance for our members while on duty. It is important to understand that it is your responsibility to follow the insurance company rules for eligibility. For instance you must immediately report all injuries, fill out all paperwork requested by the insurance company and communicate with them properly. The insurance company may deny an insurance claim if you do not follow their rules, if you falsify any statements to them or if they feel your injury is not eligible (for instance if it was due to your recklessness or horseplay).

When not responding to emergencies the duty crew will be attending to various house duties like cleaning the bunk rooms, doing laundry, washing the ambulances, shoveling snow, etc. Once the ambulances are fully stocked and other duties are attended to (typically 90 minutes after the start of the shift) the crew may eat and then may review skills. The rest of the shift is typically unstructured. Members may study, watch the large-screen TV, use the high-speed wireless Internet connection, and computers, sleep, read, socialize, etc. It's very common for off-duty members to visit and socialize, which has the side-benefit of additional manpower at the building if needed.

Many people who think they can't handle the sight of blood or vomit or other bodily fluid find that they are able to deal with it in the context of EMS. When others are depending on you, many people will rise to the task and do what needs to be done, similar to a parent that finds they are actually able to change a diaper when it needs to be done. This is not true of everyone. Some people find they need to depend on their partner on calls with vomit. Some people have to look away when a paramedic puts in an IV needle. It is very rare that people quit because of squeamishness, however. Most get used to it after a little while. Since you can ride along as soon as you join you are welcome to test yourself in the field and see how you fare. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Driving an emergency vehicle is the most dangerous thing we do. We take the responsibility very seriously. There is seldom the need to drive fast, and never the need to drive recklessly. Adults over 25 will be considered for the driver training program (classroom and on-the-road) after six months of service. Members between 18 and 25 will be considered after twelve months of service. Most trainees complete their driver training in less than a year.

No. The Morris Minute Men provide emergency care and transport to the Borough of Morris Plains and the Township of Morris. The Town of Morristown is served by the Morristown Ambulance Squad and is a distinct municipality which is encircled by our jurisdiction. Many people who think they live in Morristown actually live in the Township of Morris because they have a Morristown mailing address. Think of Morris Township as a donut. Morristown is the city at the center of that donut. Morris Township is the suburb surrounding the city.

No, you don't have to live in Morris Plains or Morris Township to join. Anyone can join. We recommend people to contact their local squad and at least consider joining them before applying to the Minute Men. Most towns in New Jersey have volunteer squads and most of them need more members. But we will allow anyone to apply. If you work in town and live elsewhere your employer may allow you to be "on call" during certain times as well. If you are applying for a night shift, then preference is given to applicants from Morris Plains and Morris Township on the wait-list.

Absolutely! We encourage people to bring someone with them to check us out, whether it's a friend, parent or other relative.

There are certain mobility and lifting requirements that may preclude becoming an EMT. Please read the "Essential Functions" document that is part of our application packet. We are an equal opportunity organization and we will discuss with you how your disability may or may not effect your ability to perform effectively.

Men and women are welcome. Our current membership is about 50% of each. You may join as young as 16. There is no maximum age to join as long as you are capable of meeting the mobility, lifting and other fitness requirements of being an EMT.

We require all new members to become EMTs even if they are drivers.

You may:

• Email Join@MorrisMinuteMen.org, tell us about yourself and what your availability is.
• Fill out and submit the form below: