For Vito Gadaleta, volunteering with Neptune Township EMS was never just a hobby; it was a calling that spanned more than five decades of dedicated service.
Now 72 and living in Florida, Gadaleta spent the bulk of his life in Neptune Township. He joined Neptune Township EMS in 1973 as an extension of his involvement with Shark River Hills Fire Company and as a way to expand how he could serve his community.
“I was eligible to join the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad as a fire company member, and I saw it as another way to help my neighbors,” Gadaleta said.
That decision led to 53 years of active service with Neptune Township EMS, a tenure marked by continuous training, emergency response and lasting friendships.
Gadaleta alongside fellow volunteers during their response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, 2001.
“Training and timely response were always top priorities, but just as important were the bonds built along the way with my fellow members and colleagues throughout the state,” Gadaleta said. “The most rewarding part was knowing I could use my skills to truly help the community while being part of such a dedicated and supportive team.”
His EMS experience also influenced his 42-year career in municipal government, where he served as a business administrator across four municipalities and three counties. No matter where his work took him, Gadaleta made it a point to join the local volunteer EMS agency, keeping his skills sharp and expanding his network of fellow responders.
“I absolutely carried what I learned in EMS into my government work. It taught me the importance of teamwork, preparation and service,” he said.
Gadaleta hopes others in the community will step forward to volunteer with Neptune Township EMS and keep the tradition alive.
“It’s important that the volunteer EMS service doesn’t fade away,” he said. “Many towns are struggling to maintain volunteer squads because it’s getting harder to recruit and retain members. But the need is still there, and the impact you can make is real.”
Neptune Township EMS, made up of three dedicated squads, is always looking for new volunteers of all backgrounds. No prior experience is required; training and gear are provided at no cost.
To learn more or sign up, visit www.JoinNeptuneEMS.org/Contact.