Meet Volunteer EMT and YMCA CEO Doug Pszczolkowski

Doug Pszczolkowski has made Hopewell Valley’s health his mission.

As CEO of the Hopewell Valley YMCA, Doug has spent the past 11 years encouraging local residents to strengthen their body, mind, and spirit.

Doug often works with Y volunteers, and realized that he also wanted to donate time and energy to make a difference in his community. The day he saw a sign seeking volunteers for his local fire company, Doug knew he found his answer. In 2015, he put his desire to give back and
his commitment to community health to work as a volunteer Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad EMT.

“It’s just been incredible,” Doug said. “I’ve been able to learn from the other volunteers, and have been trained to help people and built relationships with with these great people who have so much
compassion for others,” said Doug, who is now UFCRS’s health and safety officer and treasurer.

He and his wife, Amy – an assistant dean at Princeton University – have two sons, Joel, 16, and Daniel, 12. One of Doug’s favorite aspects of his EMT work is the chance to help other young people.

Teenagers don’t always make ideal choices, he said, and that sometimes gets them into trouble. “It’s a challenge and rewarding to make a connection with these young people, to earn their trust so that they let you help them. You’ve taken a bad situation and you’ve made it a lot better.”

When a young person is hurting, scared, or in trouble, there’s always another person or two who needs help: Their parents. “You have to assure them, too,” Doug said.

Joel and Daniel share their dad’s interest in aiding others through UFCRS. Joel joined two years ago as a junior firefighter and is now taking the EMT course, and Daniel can’t wait to turn 14 so he can join. Multiple generations of many families volunteer together.

Doug’s paid position at the YMCA and volunteer position with UFCRS are mutually beneficial, he said. For example, if anyone gets hurt at summer camp, there’s now a certified EMT on site. Doug has long been a CPR/first aid instructor for the Y, and his EMT status gives him more knowledge to share, and additional credibility, he said.

His community-facing role at the Y means Doug meets a lot of people, and he often uses those interactions as a chance to teach others about the important role volunteers play in keeping Hopewell Valley safe, and the opportunities and huge rewards that joining UFCRS or another
of the Valley volunteer first-responder units brings.

“There really is something for everyone,” he said. In addition to fighting fires and providing emergency medical care and transport, UFCRS has a marine unit that makes river rescues. All of Hopewell Valley fire company’s and rescue squads need people who direct traffic and
control emergency scenes, organize events, run fundraisers, educate the community on fire prevention and safety, help maintain vehicles and stations, and much more.

The regular training in vital skills that Doug loves is provided at no cost to volunteers, as is all equipment and gear. While Doug had some prior knowledge of first aid, many volunteers walk in with none. The friendships that he’s made with people who inspire him are just as valuable, Doug said.

“I have so much admiration for my colleagues at the firehouse,” he said. “It really blows me away that these men and women give so much of their time and themselves.”

--

There’s a role for YOU at one of the Hopewell Valley’s fire companies or rescue squads. Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad, Pennington Fire Company, Pennington First Aid Squad, and Hopewell Fire Department & Emergency Medical Unit all have immediate need for volunteers in all roles. To learn more or express an interest in volunteering, please visit www.ProtectHopewellValley.com
or call Matt Martin at 609-537-0287.