NJCU Fire Science

Students and Alumni are Successful

Congratulations go to all of our students and alumni who have recently earned career promotions as a consequence of their outstanding performances on New Jersey State Fire Service written and oral examinations. It has been very exciting for all the members of our NJCU Fire Science family to learn of their impressive levels of professional achievement and successes.

On December 16, 2011 the Jersey City Fire Department promoted one outstanding NJCU Fire Science program graduate (2007), a current Fire Science Program senior, and two former NJCU Fire Science students. Alumni William McClintock (2007) who was ranked number three on the official civil service listing was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief. This exceptional professional/academic feat is further accentuated by the fact that Chief McClintock was only promoted to the rank of Captain in 2008; less than three years ago. Chief McClintock, was an extremely conscientious learner in his term as a student in the NJCU Fire Science program. As a career professional, he was a committed and much accomplished Special Operations firefighter with the Jersey City Fire Department. In Chief McClintock’s words, “The NJCU Fire Science Program helped me tremendously when I was preparing for the exams. I had the experience, but the organization of the program helped me to retain the information I needed when taking the exams. It gave me the core book knowledge that I was lacking and made me a more complete firefighter. When you take exams, you need the book knowledge to augment and compound your job knowledge and abilities. ” Chief McClintock advises our students to “Enjoy the time (in the program), it’s well spent in your endeavors toward becoming a firefighter and officer. And, if you put the time in and work really hard, you’re destined to leave the program with the knowledge that you are seeking!”

Another of our excellent Fire Science students, Herminio Aviles, was also promoted by the Jersey City Fire Department on December 11^th. Herminio, a Jersey City firefighter of 29 years, has earned a reputation as a high-level performer in the field during his extensive tenure. A committed student of the job; steadfast and dedicated to learning, Captain Aviles believes that, “You must always continue to learn in life. My education in the Fire Science Program at NJCU helped me to review the basics of the job, to build from that important foundation, and then to move on and apply what I learned to better perform my duties as a firefighter. It’s important to never stop learning and to continue to learn from everyone you can.” Captain Aviles proudly has four brothers, three of whom are members of the Jersey City Fire Department and one of which is also an NJCU student.

Making history in both the Jersey City Fire Department and the New Jersey City University Fire Science Program simultaneously is former student Constance Zappella. On December 11^th, 2011, Constance Zappella became the first female firefighter in the history of the Jersey City Fire Department to be promoted to the rank of Captain. And, in so doing she also became the first woman in the history of the NJCU Fire Science Program to earn a career promotion to the rank of Captain. Captain Zappella was hired as a firefighter with the Jersey City Fire Department in May of 2003. A believer in the value of education, Constance also entered the Fire Science program later that year. To accomplish the goal of reaching her full potential as a firefighter, she knew it would be important to build a strong foundation and felt that the program at NJCU would do just that. In her own words Captain Zappella stated that, “The books we used in class were the same books used with the civil service tests; they are the foundation. The Professors were either active or retired fire officers who brought to the classroom, their real life experiences. It was a well rounded program.” Captain Zappella is a strong believer in the importance of self confidence. In that regard, her advice to NJCU Fire Science students is to, “Try, you must try to see what you can accomplish. It doesn’t matter what you want to do, if you don’t try to reach your goals, you’ll never get there.” Captain Zappella became a firefighter after several years in the corporate arena. Born and raised in Jersey City she wanted to give back to the community. She enjoyed getting directly involved, with a very “hands on” approach; working to assist people in need and keeping herself physically fit. All of these outstanding personal traits and convictions contributed to the development of her interest in becoming a firefighter and ultimately a fire officer. Acknowledging the importance of education and mentoring, Captain Zappella occasionally returns to the elementary school that she attended as a young child and serving as an outstanding role model teaches the children about fire safety and the roles of a firefighter. Committed to the development of prospective firefighters, she and Jersey City Battalion Chief Rich Lapinski are partners in a personal training enterprise, “Physically Fit and Ready”. Launched in 2010, the business focuses on the preparation of individuals for the New Jersey State, civil service entrance-level firefighter exam. Speaking with experience and conviction, Captain Zappella stated in conclusion that, “To be successful in the fire service you must constantly learn and always stay physically fit!”

The success continues… Recently, earning employment as a consequence of outstanding performance were two NJCU Fire Science majors: Ryan Collis, a Fire Science junior and Bill Billson a soon to graduate senior. Ryan was recently hired by NYPD, while, Bill was appointed to a full-time position as a Hazmat Technician for the Union County Office of Emergency Management, Bureau of Hazardous Materials. Bill, like so many other successful fire science students and alumni recognizes the importance of education and the dedication it takes to achieve your dreams. As Bill stated, “Even though the hiring process can be daunting at times, you must keep trying. I took tests and scored well, but wasn’t hired off several lists in the seven years I was applying for fire positions”. It was disappointing for sure, but, Bill remained focused; he kept on pushing forward and ultimately he gained success. Bill issued the following advice for his fellow Fire Science students and alumni, “Continually further your education, either through formal education such as a degree or continuing education classes. This will not only help you perform your duties, but makes you more marketable to potential employment with many departments.”

Best wishes all our students and alumni on their continued success!