Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad Chief Frank Setnicky to retire after 35 years of service

Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad Chief Frank Setnicky will retire next month after serving with the rescue squad for 35 years.

Captain Shawn Gallagher, who has been with the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad (PFARS) since 2008, will become chief upon Setnicky’s retirement on Oct. 20.

Setnicky joined the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad in 1986 as a paid EMT and has been serving in his current role as chief since 2007. During his career with the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, he has received a number of accolades and honors. In 2008, he led the way for the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad to be named an outstanding public EMS Agency by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services. In 2016, the state agency named him EMT of the year. He is a member of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Medical Services EMT Training Fund Committee, president of the Hunterdon County EMS Squad Chiefs Association, and a founding member of the Hunterdon County Technical Rescue Task Force

“Frank Setnicky has reflected the highest standards of Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad his entire career here,” said Mark Freda, President of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad. “He has provided leadership and mentorship to many. Frank has helped grow and maintain a culture that has kept PFARS a successful organization.”

Under Setnicky’s leadership, the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad has been on the cutting edge when it comes to implementing new treatments, for example using EPI pens in the field when people have anaphylactic reactions. Just days after the EPI pens were placed in service, PFARS saved the life of a child with an EPI pen.

“Frank will be missed, but the organization has the depth to fill his shoes and continue PFARS being an organization providing excellent emergency medical and rescue services to the Princeton community,” Freda said.