Paul Schulz, firefighter and President of East Dover Fire Company, has been volunteering with Toms River Fire Department for six years now.

“I moved here from New York eight years ago. I thought, ‘If there was ever another Hurricane Sandy, I want to become friends with the people who would save me,’” said Paul.

Paul enjoys helping the community and comforting people in their time of need. One of the most valuable skills he’s learned is how to work on a team to achieve a common goal. Teamwork also comes in handy in his personal career at Verizon where he handles Fios installation and repair.

“The most important thing for new volunteers is their willingness to be a valuable part of a big team,” said Paul. “Listen to the elder firefighters, try to absorb any knowledge that they’re giving, and respect their experience.”

To learn more about volunteering with Toms River Fire Department, visit www.trfire.org.