mattersmagazine.com 17 W When someone’s sick or injured, Melanie Troncone’s South Orange neighbors say, “Call Mel.” When residents with serious injuries or illnesses call 9-1-1 they often get Troncone on their doorsteps. She’s been an EMT for six years and the president of the South Orange Rescue Squad for three. The Rescue Squad has about 45 dedicated volunteers, but Troncone is unique because she doesn’t just help human patients. If the life threat involves a dog or cat, raccoon or rat, Troncone’s going to show up, because she is also the South Orange Animal Control Officer. From time to time Troncone’s two important roles intersect. After she received a call that something was caught in a South Orange home’s pool filter, Troncone arrived to find a tiny screech owl, only about as big as her hand, trapped. It had two escape routes, through the flapper door into the water or out the top, but the trap door was closed. Troncone eased the owl out through the top, wrapped it in a towel and secured it in a cat carrier for transport to The Raptor Trust. When she learned that the rescue facility was closed for the night, she stopped by the Rescue Squad. She knew that the EMTs on duty would want to help. ABSOLUTELY PURE extra strong TEAM WE SELL OUR HOMES FOR 3% MORE THAN THE AVERAGE AGENT AND IN LESS THAN HALF THE AVERAGE TIME.* Mark Slade Homes Team o 973.762.5400 | c 917.797.5059 Sladehomes@gmail.com | sladeblog.com www.goodhomesforgoodpeople.com each office independently owned and operated *as calculated using stats pulled from the GSMLS A new boutique offering the latest fashion trends for Sale, Rent and Consignment. Major brand designers. Come take a look. Love it Rent it Return it FittingRoom Gala is a boutique and consignment company that provides designer clothing brands and accessories for customers to purchase or rent. 325 Valley Street South Orange 201-207-0477 fittingroomgala@gmail.com FittingRoomGala.com dress by Gracia dress by Botanika