PASCACK VALLEY—Life is good for Justin G. Tsai, a nearly seven-year EMT and member and past first lieutenant with the Washington Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Tsai, of Paramus, whom we’ve had in these pages as a tireless recruiter for the corps, has embarked on what he says are “many adventures providing medical services for some of society’s most prominent and well known names.”
Through Tsai Mobile Health LLC, Tsai, who has a bachelor of science in nursing, is a “set first-aider,” Covid compliance officer, and health, safety and risk consultant to those for whom danger is a way of life — as is discretion.
He lists as clients “Shark Tank” star Barbara Corcoran, singer Lorde, comedian Sam Jay, RJ Barrett of the Knicks, and familiar actors Michael Biehn and Ben Foster — among many others.
He was on hand at the 94th Academy Awards; Viacom/CBS production “Uncoupled” season 1; taping for “The Wrath of Becky”; HBO’s “Pause with Sam Jay”; the reality series “Deadliest Catch”; concerts at Montclair’s Wellmont Theater; and New York Fashion Week.
He was at Carnegie Hall in May as standby for the ViacomCBS, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and MTV networks’ 2022 upfront event.
He said, “Most people probably pay hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars for the honor and privilege of spending a Saturday evening sitting front row at Carnegie Hall. Yours truly was being paid hundreds of dollars to be there.”
And he was on top of the world at Times Square for the installation of the huge illuminated “2022” seen worldwide heading into the New Year. He supported the Times Square Alliance and automaker Kia’s C-suite.
This spring he worked the Phoebe Bridgers concert, with 5,000 guests, at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Closer to home, he just covered Emerson’s Summer Kickoff and Westwood Regional High School’s graduation.
He told Pascack Press recently, “There’s really something to be said about following one’s passions and dreams.”
Tsai said, “When I first decided to spend all but my entire adult life in the emergency services, some of the people that knew me thought the choice was a bit peculiar, especially considering that the pay and conditions for most mainstream EMT positions are little better that flipping burgers at McDonalds.”
He said, “Perhaps that is partly why, especially after the pandemic, the manpower shortages in EMS have only gotten more severe.”
He said, “These past two years have taught me that there are really many other career paths one can pursue than those taught in the schools or college — and if you like what you do and do well at it, then any career path can lead to success. The sky is the limit as to the many ways one can succeed in life.”