Current Position: Section Forest Firewarden
How long have you been with the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry and in what capacity?
Thirty years. I have served in many capacities from part-time and full-time Crewman, to Deputy Firewarden, District Firewarden, Forest Fire Observer at Catfish Fire tower, Forest Fire Control Technician and Section Firewarden.
How did you become involved in working as a Forest Firewarden?
In the town I grew up in, the local firewarden would come out to our annual bonfire with the Boy Scouts. He brought his wildland engine to extinguish the bonfire at the end of the evening. I asked him how to join. He said to come and see him when I was 18. I did and have been involved in wildland firefighting ever since.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
If I have gotten any sleep, I will feed livestock at 0500, take and receive phone calls from crewmembers and various agencies. Pack gear in wildland engine for the days activities. These activities can be any combination of fire suppression, patrol, pre-suppression work, trail work, fire education programs, training, responding to other emergencies, etc.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
Minimum of 35, depending on activities 60-80.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Protecting the environment, working with people, fighting fire. The ability to go out in the field and make a difference.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
The paperwork. In particular with prescribed burning it is a challenge coordinating the paperwork, the people and the weather. Especially finding the weather conditions that are good enough for an effective burn, but not too good!
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
- A degree in Fire Science
- Law enforcement class
- CDL Class A License
- Wildland firefighter training per National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
A course in computer skills. Generally this is a job that you grow into. I had a great advantage coming up through the ranks, learning from those before me.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I’ve assisted with getting four communities recognized as Firewise communities. Firewise is a national program designed to reach beyond the Fire Service and to get homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers and others involved in the effort to protect the people, property and natural resources in their communities from the risk of wildfires. I’m also a member of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, attending many national conferences and have hosted three in northern New Jersey.
If someone were interested in working as a Firewarden at a state park, what advice could you give them?
Join a volunteer fire department and get training in addition to the wildland firefighter training. This is important because we work so closely with the local fire companies and having the cross training and networking is a big help when working in the field together.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
This is a great job! I have had the opportunity to meet and help people around the state and around the country. There is a camaraderie in the fire service that goes beyond the firefighting itself, and you become part of a larger family.
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