Grayson Meyer ‘25, has devoted many hours volunteering as a first responder. Meyer finds that his extensive volunteer work is worthwhile as getting to meet new people and getting recognition in public is one of the many things he loves about being a first responder. He explains, “At times the work is tense but it is also very rewarding.” Meyer typically gets called in a few times a week, but since he does not sleep at the station, he has to drive in on his own. Meyer’s favorite part about being a first responder is “easily the brotherhood. [They] make jokes with all [the] guys…it’s fun.” Meyer’s dedication to the volunteer program has surely bettered the community, along with others lives. 

Killian Schlager ‘25 has given immense energy to the Peapack-Gladstone Fire Department. Through the department, he has gained new relationships with members, saying that joining the department is “like you kind of gain a whole new family.”  Although being a member can be rewarding, Schlager noted how important it is to be aware of your surroundings when you are on a call. Schlager ‘25 says “We’re always excited to go on calls because they’re always fun, but, like, sometimes you’ll have a tough call… maybe we might be excited to go to it, but someone else is having a bad day.” The experience of growing close with people in your community is also a benefit. Schlager says, “You get really close with people around you… people in your community, too.” Overall, through his volunteer work as a firefighter, Killian Schlager has surely left an impact on the community. 

Kaley Welsh is a Far Hills EMT. Kaley’s inspiration for becoming a first responder was her admiration for her grandfather, who was a fire chief in Bedminster. Welsh says, “I always knew that I wanted to help people, and being able to see it all in action when I was young inspired me.” Kaley explains how being a first responder is one of the “hardest, but most rewarding things” she has ever done. She feels when the situations can be very stressful, once she gets on the scene she separates herself and does her best to help however she can. Becoming a certified EMT requires extensive work and going through “210 hours of training in total- 200 of it was at a training academy, and 10 hours of the training was clinical time at Princeton Medical Center Emergency Room. Once you complete training, there is a certifying test that you have to take to become an EMT.” Although the training is intensive, the hard work is worth it to help the community. 

Aidan Kinsey ‘25 has always been interested in helping out those in need. Kinsey explains, “Being involved with the Peapack Gladstone Fire Department gives me the chance to do that while also fostering my interests in public safety and engineering, especially through working to maintain the radios and other technology that the department uses.” As a junior volunteer, Kinsey legally cannot enter a building that has a chance of a fire, however he still helps out in many ways. He says,“There are still dozens of jobs to do outside of a fire building or at many other types of incidents, to include water flow management, personnel accountability, and rehab.” Although the physical tolls are draining, Kinsey explains, “For me, getting to be a part of something bigger than myself is the best part. I’m not just Aidan, I’m a volunteer who is there to serve the community.” 

Milo Consolla-Kutsuna ‘27 volunteers at the Peapack-Gladstone Fire Department. Growing up in Tokyo, Milo was exposed to the urgentness of a first responder because he grew up a block away from a firehouse. Because Milo is a junior firefighter he cannot be exposed legally to fires. Milo says,“I have to be appropriately dressed in case a call comes in and be ready to dash to the firehouse.” While this is not a career that Milo wishes to pursue in the future, he still hopes to continue his work as a volunteer firefighter. “I wish to receive my Firefighter I certificate next summer in a training program and become a full member of the Peapack Gladstone Fire Department.”