Princeton Mayor Steps Down From 51-Year EMS Career

Mayor Mark Freda is leaving his post at Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, but says he's not done with emergency services.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:49pm

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Princeton Mayor Mark Freda is stepping down as executive director of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad (PFARS) after more than five decades with the organization. Freda, who first joined PFARS as a teenager in 1975, said the decision came down to balancing the demands of the mayor's office and a desire to reclaim personal time. However, Freda warned that the volunteer emergency services statewide are facing a crisis, with more EMTs retiring each year than are being trained to replace them.

Why it matters

Freda's retirement highlights the challenges facing volunteer emergency services in New Jersey, as squads across the state are folding and increasing pressure on the agencies that remain. His call for the state to designate EMS as an essential service underscores the urgent need to address this crisis and ensure communities have access to reliable emergency medical care.

The details

Freda has led PFARS as its top administrator in recent years, and he pointed to the construction of a modern headquarters that replaced the organization's original 1963 building as one of his defining accomplishments. However, he said he feels confident the squad is well-positioned for the future, even as he steps down. Freda warned that the changing landscape of EMS in New Jersey requires a lot of time, thought, and effort to remain successful and fulfill the mission of providing essential emergency services.

  • Freda first joined PFARS as a teenager in 1975.
  • Freda has led PFARS as its top administrator in recent years.
  • Freda is stepping down from his role at PFARS in 2026.

The players

Mark Freda

The mayor of Princeton, New Jersey, who is stepping down from his 51-year career with the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad.

Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad (PFARS)

A volunteer emergency services organization in Princeton, New Jersey, that Freda has been a part of for over 50 years.

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What they’re saying

“It is just too big a part of my life to totally walk away from.”

— Mark Freda, Mayor of Princeton

“More EMTs retire each year than new EMTs come on board. Numerous squads go under each year, placing more pressure on the remaining EMS agencies. And creating more demand for paid EMTs, many of whom come from the volunteer ranks. We are not training new EMTs fast enough, nor are we changing the rules around training EMTs to deal with the challenges of EMS today.”

— Mark Freda, Mayor of Princeton

What’s next

Freda said he is unlikely to walk away from emergency services entirely, suggesting he will find ways to stay involved in Princeton's EMS community.

The takeaway

Freda's retirement highlights the critical challenges facing volunteer emergency services in New Jersey, as the state grapples with a shortage of EMTs and the closure of numerous squads. His call for EMS to be designated as an essential service underscores the urgent need to address this crisis and ensure communities have access to reliable emergency medical care.