Janet and David Silfen. Photo by SORS Member Fred Stipe
By SORS Volunteer Margot Lester
SORS Board Member and EMS Volunteer David Silfen is a force multiplier, investing three decades in making sure local EMTs are always ready to serve. He teaches continuing education workshops for our volunteers and provides leadership during their shifts, and is an instructor for the EMS Professional Training Program at Durham Tech and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Career and Technical Education Fire Fighting and EMT program. David’s a mentor to many, offering guidance and support to volunteers and professionals just starting off and as they progress through their careers. Chances are, when you meet a local EMT with any local squad, they likely learned from David!
How long have you been volunteering with SORS?
During my first week after moving to Chapel Hill, some 31 years ago, I sought out SORS. I had been a volunteer in Hillsdale, N.J., and I wanted to continue that here. I served on EMS and the Technical Rescue Team. I joined the board in 2020 and am finishing up my term this year.
SORS EMS volunteers provide on-site emergency medical support at Carolina home basketball and football games. (L-R: David Silfen, Sri Manivasagam, Ellie Rogers) Photo courtesy of David Silfen
How did you get into EMS?
I left the New York fashion industry in merchandising, sales and management over 30 years ago. It’s going to sound lame, but it was very unfulfilling. I switched careers to become a medic. I made a quarter of the income doing EMS, but it was a thousand times more rewarding. You can’t beat that!
What’s something important about SORS that most people don’t see?
South Orange has a strong social structure, which I think is missing today. Most Sunday mornings, I hold a group gathering where I invite doctors, EMS crews and SORS members to coffee to learn how to network. I still speak to SORS members from 30 years ago. What’s more, you can find former SORS members all over the country. When I’m in Alaska visiting my kids and grandkids, I also visit a former student and SORS member!
What motivates you to stay involved with SORS and EMS in your retirement?
After being a paramedic, EMS educator and Deputy Operations Officer for Orange County EMS, I feel like I can mentor young people. I like to be around them — I love their energy. I still volunteer on the truck, mostly at sporting events. At 71 years old, I like to be in bed by 11! When I’m not riding, I’m teaching. I teach all levels of EMS and love it. If anyone has an interest in medicine, EMS is a fantastic introduction. Doctors and nurses don’t make house calls anymore, so unfortunately the medical profession misses the environment their patients come from. EMS providers see it all.
[That insight helped David play a pivotal role in the development of the county’s fall Prevention Program, Stay Up and Active, in 2013, which evolved into the Community Health and Safety Bureau within the Orange County EMS Division.]
SORS Member David Silfen also volunteers with the Orange County Caregiver Awareness, Respite, Education & Support (OC CARES) team. (L-R: Silfen, Heather Palmateer-Elliott, Stephen Slagle and Jennifer Melvin) Photo courtesy of David Silfen
The South Orange Dispatch is a monthly column on Chapelboro by the South Orange Rescue Squad: an all volunteer, 501c3 non-profit providing EMS and technical rescue services in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area of Orange County since 1971.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
