As the number of COVID-19 cases increases across New Jersey, two items are in short supply: N-95 surgical masks and, in some communities, qualified personnel to man the volunteer emergency response organizations on the front lines. While the two things may appear unrelated, the truth is they’re very much dependent on each other.

“We’re extremely short on masks,” said Jay Zimmerman, a captain with Great Bay Regional EMS Squad 85, which provides basic life-saving services and transportation in…