01 Background

The Delaware Valley Tesla Owner’s Club (DVTO) is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit organization and official Tesla partner, serving the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.^[1] The club brings together EV enthusiasts across six chapters that border the Delaware River, hosting everything from technical workshops and first responder training to social cruises and car shows.

My involvement with DVTO goes beyond just being a club member — I volunteer regularly at events, bringing my 2018 Model 3 Performance and opening it up for hands-on education. My father is a retired first responder with the FDNY, which gave me a personal appreciation for the work first responders do. That connection motivated me to get involved with the club’s CrashCourse program, which helps local fire departments and EMS teams understand the vehicles they may encounter on the road — ultimately making our communities safer for both responders and EV drivers alike.

At every event, I remove the front trunk (frunk) panel from my car so attendees can see the internals firsthand. I walk them through the low-voltage system, how to identify high-voltage cables, the drive units and inverters, and even details like why the Model 3 uses same-size half-axles to eliminate torque steer. A highlight is always the thermal bar — a cross-member that runs from strut tower to strut tower for front chassis stability, while also carrying the AC compressor, high and low pressure lines, stacked-plate heat exchanger, and expansion valve. Whether it’s a firefighter in bunker gear or a curious neighbor, the goal is the same: understanding what’s under the skin of these vehicles.

02 CrashCourse: First Responder Education

The DVTO CrashCourse program is a hands-on EV safety training initiative for first responders — firefighters, police officers, and EMTs.^[2] Launched in 2019, the program has grown into a multi-year effort spanning communities across the tri-state area.^[3] Each session combines classroom instruction on Tesla operations, safety features, and high-voltage systems with hands-on demonstrations using actual club members’ vehicles.

Since 2021, I’ve attended CrashCourse events across New Jersey, from Westfield and Morristown — where over 150 first responders came out — to Millburn (140+), Ringwood, Belmar, Toms River, Point Pleasant, Princeton Junction, and the Morris County Fire Academy. One of the most memorable sessions was held inside the sprawling Bell Works building in Holmdel, where we set up in the underground parking garage for a unique training environment. At each event, I bring my car, remove the frunk, and walk firefighters through everything: the coolant tubes (they can feel the coolant flowing), the thermal bar, the AC compressor, the drive units, and the stacked-plate heat exchangers that allow the AC compressor to assist in cooling the glycol loop — whether during Supercharging, high-performance driving, or just on a hot day.

03 Car Shows & Community Education

Beyond first responder training, DVTO participates in car shows and public education events like National Drive Electric Week and Westfield Drive Electric Week. These events are an opportunity to teach the general public how EVs work — many people, car enthusiasts included, have never seen underneath a Tesla’s frunk. They’re often surprised to find no traditional fuse box, but equally surprised to see familiar components like the AC compressor, radiator, 12V battery, and rack-and-pinion steering. It’s a great way to demystify the technology.

I frequently gave ride-alongs at these events, letting people experience the instant torque and regenerative braking firsthand. It’s always a treat to see someone’s face the first time they feel a Tesla launch.

04 Social Events & Community

DVTO isn’t all work — the club hosts social events that bring the community together. We’ve done sunrise cruises to Asbury Park, toured the covered bridges of Bucks County, and held “Cars and Cones” meetups. We even had the chance to meet Sandy Munro and Cory Steuben, CEO and President of Munro & Associates, and hosts of the popular “Munro Live!” YouTube channel. I stay in touch with their team and meet up with them at conferences.

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