Crime & Safety
Greendyk is Ready to 'Do What Needs To Be Done'
Four-year First Aid Squad member likes knowing the impact of his work.
- Name: Peter Greendyk, 47.
- What Part of Town: Lives on Horseneck Road in Montville. He and his family moved into their house on Christmas Day 1996. Once his wife, Barbara’s, childhood home, the house has been in her family since 1956.
- Children: Sam, 20; Hannah, 18; Jake, 15.
- Favorite Thing about Montville Township: As a history teacher he likes that his wife’s roots go so far back. Her grandfather milked cows for O’Dowd’s dairy, and her mother was born on Waxberg Lane in 1931.
- Serves on: The Montville First Aid Squad. He joined, “just about 4 years ago,” when his son, Sam, developed an interest in the First Aid Squad and in possibly pursuing a career in law enforcement. As Greendyk looked into the requirements of his son joining the squad, he realized he too had an interest. Since he would be driving Sam to CPR and EMT classes two or three times each week, he decided to join with him.
- Rewards: Being on the First Aid Squad has had “a kind of nice impact on our family. Our family has just become more aware of what happens in town and the role that police officers, and fire fighters, and everybody has, to kind of keep the town a safe and better place. And I think it’s given us a better appreciation for our town”
- Career: He is a teacher at a Christian school, and also runs his own piano tuning company. As a teacher, he teaches social studies and religious studies. His back ground in music allowed him to be the choir director for five years. In a past career he specialized in public relations so now he occasionally teaches creative writing. He has also taught physical education. “In a school like mine you wear a lot of hats. You have to be very flexible and you have to be ready to do pretty much whatever needs to be done at a moment’s notice, which, I guess is, a characteristic that you need to have for first aid squad work…I see the value of cooperation.”
- First Aid Duties: His regular shift is Monday at 7 p.m. until Tuesday at 7 a.m. After his shift, he goes to his teaching job. Often, after work, he swings by the squad house to see if the shift needs any help. Many times he volunteers for extra shifts throughout the week. He also serves as “The Membership Guy.” Specifically he assists the new recruits, most of whom are 16 years old. However, he notes that, in the past year, many in their 40s and 50s have joined. Additionally, a lot of college students have gotten involved. “This squad is growing. We are bucking the trend, really, in the state.” Most squads around the state are having a hard time.
- The First Aid Squad: There are 120 active and inactive members, including one charter member from 1964, who is still living in town. A core group of 60 to 70 volunteers cover 14 shifts seven days per week. A few shifts are covered by paid EMT’s, when volunteers are not available to cover those hours. “It’s a dynamic squad…It’s a nice, warm atmosphere.”
- Most Rewarding: Greendyk finds many things fulfilling about being on the first aid squad. In general, he acknowledges that when someone calls in a panic for help, and “you can show up at their door, fast, know what you are doing, and help them…you did something that made a real difference in someone’s immediate, daily life.” The squad, run by volunteers, often receives letters, thank you notes, cookies, calls, and sometimes checks, which help the squad pay the bills.
- Other Activities: The First Aid Squad takes a lot of time. In addition to his jobs, Greendyk is very active in his church. He is becoming more interested in the Township Committee and hopes to attend more meetings to see how things work. “I think we’ve got some good people up there.”
- Philosophy: “You do what has to be done,” Greendyk said. “When somebody calls 911 they want you to show up fast, and know what you’re doing. And that’s a huge responsibility…It’s people’s lives, and people’s loved ones, and sometimes there’s everything on the line, and you have to be ready to do, ready to do, whatever needs to be done.”
- Best Advice: Commitment.
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