Welcome to the fifth installment of the Courier’s shout-out to Easton volunteers. This week we honor EMT Lorraine Mercede, a member of the Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Services Trustees and an active volunteer.
Last week we spotlighted Carolyn Kearney, assistant chief, preceded by Cristina DiPalma, EMT; Paco Acosta, EMS 2018 Volunteer of the Year; and  Victor Malindretos, president, EMS Board of Trustees.
Mercede has been an Easton resident for over 40 years. She has two grown children, both still living in Connecticut. She works in human resources for a Swiss bio-tech company, Lonza, located in Morristown, N.J. and recently celebrated her 43rd service anniversary.Â
While she doesn’t love the commute to New Jersey, she continues to find the work satisfying and challenging. She is especially proud of the fact that Lonza is providing the active ingredients to the Moderna Covid vaccine!
Her job doesn’t leave a lot of time for volunteering, but she has made time for those organizations that reflect her personal commitment to community service.
She started training for her EMT-B certification when her youngest child went off to college about 12 years ago. So for anyone who has an interest in becoming an EMT, “Take it from me, it’s never too late,” she said. “I am currently a member of the EVEMS trustees and an active volunteer. As an EMT, I have served in many roles in the EVEMS Service, but by far, I enjoy the patient and family contact the most.”
She also dedicates time to the Danbury Animal Welfare Society in Bethel. She is an adoption counselor and one of her favorite things is to work with families to adopt a new pet to add to their family.
“I’m proud of the organizations I work with — my ‘day job’ and my nights/weekend volunteer jobs,” Mercede said. “Each plays an important part in my life, keeping me centered and filled with gratitude.”
