Millburn Community Leaders: Longtime EMT Is 'Driving Force' In Town

MILLBURN,NJ — Without community leaders, Millburn-Short Hills wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Nancy Roth, a Millburn Short Hills reader who nominated Harry Steven Roth.

How do you know this community leader?

My husband

What does this community leader do?

He is an EMT and President of the Millburn Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Harry has been volunteering as in EMT for 29 years in our community. He has been President of the Millburn Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad (MSHVFAS) for over 20 years. He has been a driving force in having this Squad continue to be 100% volunteer. Harry is on a 12-hour shift once a week but stops by the building every day to make sure everything and everyone is functioning at the highest possible level. In addition, MSHVFAS is run totally by donations from our community, it gets no financial assistance from the town or State. It operates 24 hours a day 365 days a year and has been doing this since the 1950's. Harry is focused solely on making sure this Squad continues as a volunteer organization and its services remain free of charge for all township residences. No bill is ever sent to a patient. Many squads in our neighboring towns have either gone to a hybrid, of paid people and volunteers, or all paid EMTs. It is Harry's mission and passion to make sure the Millburn Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad remains the premier one that it is, and continues for decades to come as a volunteer organization free to everyone in the community.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Harry is the most compassionate person I know and has been on many emergency calls where close friends have been patients, this is never easy but having him on site has made the family just a little less anxious knowing that he is taking care of their loved ones. His discretion, kindness and empathy is unmatched by anyone I know.

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Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out? Nominate them here.