Fire Science Senior Sterbinsky and Alumni Lee and Smith are hired as Firefighter in local New Jersey Fire Departments

In July of this year, Alumnus Peter Lee was hired as a firefighter with the Maplewood, NJ Fire Department. Shortly thereafter another one of our Fire Science all-stars, Brendan Sterbinsky began his career as a firefighter with the Teaneck, NJ Fire Department. And finally, to complete the summer-fall trifecta, recently, Fire Science Alumnus Justin Smith followed proudly in the footsteps of his father being officially sworn in as a member of the Jersey City Fire Department.

Upon graduation from NJCU, Peter Lee gained employment as a dispatcher with the Englewood, NJ Fire Department. While a dispatcher, he continued to take one entrance-level firefighter exam after another, determined to achieve his lifelong goal of becoming a career firefighter and ultimately fire officer. Also, knowing that many fire departments run EMS (including Maplewood), Peter earned his NJ State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in an effort to enhance his professional resume and employability. His efforts paid off in spades, for in less than a few months, he received notification from the Maplewood Fire Department that he was being offered a position as firefighter. Elated, he was sworn in almost immediately and launched into his Fire Department Training at the Bergen County Fire Academy. Performing extremely well with his training, Firefighter Lee graduated from the Bergen County Fire Academy and was assigned to a field position in mid-August.

When interviewed for this article, Firefighter Lee was quick to acknowledge the role that his education played in his gaining employment and succeeding with his academy training. In Peter’s words, “I was once told, “NJCU (fire science) is not a Mom and Pop program” and the person who told me this was right! (It was Prof. Malley who gave Lee those words of wisdom.) Going to NJCU exposed me to a lot of career guys, and I saw how happy they were in their careers. They made the right career choice and this confirmed many of the things I believed I wanted to do with my life. The education I received at NJCU was outstanding: The curriculum and the student-centered learning, along with the texts and Professors’ wealth of real-world experience. The entire program helped to make me a better firefighter.”

Lee continued, offering the following advice to current and future NJCU Fire Science students, “To the fire science students who are aspiring to become career firefighters and fire officers; take as many tests as possible and never leave an opportunity unexplored. I took test after test, and through this process I became a better test taker. You’re not a number in the fire science program, the Professors care! The program at NJCU is the best! Take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to you!”

On a personnel note; the NJCU Fire Science family sends our congratulations to Peter and his new bride Julie who were married May 7^th of this year. May they have many happy years together!

It didn’t take long for Firefighter Sterbinsky to be placed on the line… in only two days! Sterbinsky who was on the Teaneck hiring list began the ascent ranked at 18, and though that might have not seemed to be in too promising a position on the list, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a career firefighter in New Jersey. Brendan’s patience, education and training paid off, he was hire in August. After spending only two days training with NJCU Fire Science Professor and Teaneck’s Training Officer, Captain Jordan Zaretsky, he was ready for the line. (Maybe that’s due to the fact that our fire science faculty are spectacular instructors and our fire science majors are spectacular learners!)

Sterbinsky came to NJCU after graduating from Passaic County College with an A.A.S. degree in Fire Science and is currently planning on graduating from NJCU in December. Sterbinsky has always been a go getter. While attending school he studied and worked, and worked, and worked. Before being hired by Teaneck, Brendan worked full-time as a dispatcher for the Allendale, NJ Police Department, and this was not a motivated Brendan’s only job. Brendan also worked part-time since June of 2009 as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Town of Upper Saddle River and as an ARFF (Airport Rescue firefighter) at the Morristown Municipal Airport since December 2009. He worked countless hours every week while still attending college full-time.

Brendan’s drive and desire kept him moving forward to reaching his goals of becoming a career firefighter and earning his Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science. Brendan stated that his education has been an important facet in the ability to obtain his goal of firefighter, “My education at NJCU has helped to advance me in my thinking toward leadership skills. I’ve learned to respect and understand the Fire Officer’s decisions. My education has also helped me build confidence on the fire ground and understand the importance of team effort. The program at NJCU is great for a person with a busy schedule like I have. The dual track and on-line courses help me to move forward toward completing my degree. The flexibility in scheduling my fire science courses is tremendous.”