Spring 2021 Newsletter
Fire Science
Kaitlin Ventrice is Beating the Odds in the Fire Service
In January, Kaitlin Ventrice received her letter of offer to become a firefighter in one of the larger fire departments in Virginia. Graduating from NJCU in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science, she succeeded in earning a career position in the predominantly male field. “In 2018, 93,700 (8%) of the firefighters were female. Of the career firefighters, 15,200 (4%) were female firefighters.There were 78,500 volunteer firefighters who were female, which was 11% of the total number of volunteer firefighters” (NFPA report - U.S. fire department profile).
The path to career firefighter was not easy but Kaitlin did everything she could to prepare to be successful and earn a career in the fire service as a firefighter. It all began when she became a volunteer firefighter in the town where she lived and became hooked. She loved to challenge herself both physically and mentally to ultimately help others and found that being a volunteer firefighter was just that. After volunteering for several years, she decided that this was to be her career. To be the best she could be, she strived to continue to learn and knowing the importance of education she came to NJCU to earn her Fire Science degree.
Kaitlin had the education and experience, but the hiring process is still not easy. It can include any or all of the following: written exams, physical tests, various interviews, and even polygraphs. Determined, and applying to several departments she succeeded, Kaitlin was given a letter of offer to become one of the bravest for a fire department in Virginia. Currently in the Fire Academy, she is dedicated and strives to be successful both in the classroom and with the physical demands. With no exception she must perform to the same standards as her male classmates, including the physical standards. Being a firefighter is physically demanding, your carrying hose, equipment, and victims. You’re climbing stairs, going into smoke filled buildings, so keeping yourself in excellent physical shape is just as important as the educational and mental challenges that one faces.
In Kailin’s own words. “As a female in the fire service, I would take a look around and notice I was the only woman most of the time. Throughout school and the processes I have been involved in, I saw a handful of women. People will tell you that one has a leg up getting hired as a firefighter for being female nowadays, but I will tell you that you still have to work hard or even harder than those around you. I love hearing or seeing that women are becoming more interested in the fire science degree at NJCU and becoming firefighters. It is so empowering to be in a male-dominated occupation. Not only to say I was able to do it, but to help change the minds of those who may think otherwise and to help pave the road for future female firefighters. With that, I am not here to say any female can do it because in reality, not everyone can do it. One has to have the passion, the drive, and the heart to become a firefighter. I know my passion started in high school, but attending NJCU just made that passion grow. The class material, fellow classmates who were already paid firefighters, the structure of each class, and most importantly, the amazing professors, really helped me get to where I am today. The fire science staff at NJCU is the best one can get. Each professor has an outstanding background and amazing experience in the field. Going through the fire science program really helped me as I went through the hiring process. Everything done at NJCU with the fire science department is done with intention to guide the students and set them up for success, whether that be becoming a paid firefighter, a fire inspector, an arson investigator, etc. I still keep in touch with multiple professors. I have used professors as references during the hiring process and for recommendation letters. When it comes down to it, I do not think I would be where I am today without the staff of the fire science department at NJCU.”
Health Sciences
NLAPH Fellowships Awarded to Dr. Erin O’Neill and Adjunct Professor Stacey Flanagan
Dr. Erin O’Neill and Stacey Flanagan (Health Sciences’ Adjunct and Director for J.C. Health & Human Services) have been named 2021 Fellows for the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health (NLAPH). The NLAPH is run by the Center for Health Leadership and Practice, a center of the Public Health Institute, with generous support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The California Endowment. The focus for this fellowship is to recognize and bring together leaders from diverse sectors to improve health and advance equity: “Agile leadership is more important than ever in these uncertain times. We need leaders who can adapt to real-world events, such as COVID-19. We also need leaders who can advance racial justice, in partnership with their communities, to create a more equitable future” (center for Health Leadership & Practice, 2020).
NLAPH began in 2011 to provide training to four-person multi-sector teams from across the country to advance their leadership skills and achieve health equity in their community. The NLAPH has been in existence since 2012 with less than 800 total fellowships awarded. O’Neill and Flanagan are representing team Healthier JC for NLAPH’s 2021 cohort as one of 14 national teams (existing of a total of 63 fellows). The Healthier JC team’s goal is to further progress on innovative and sustainable solutions to bridge cross-sector services to individuals suffering from violence by connecting and aligning systems of care and intervention agents. Fellows of this program are expected to use the academy and its’ coaching (from internationally renowned Public Health experts) to improve population health by constructing innovative solutions and infusing the outcomes of this year-long leadership program into their respective public health fields (higher education, government, non- profits, etc.).
Health Sciences Highlights
Angela V. McKnight, NJ Assemblywoman and Health Sciences’ Adjunct, continues to be at the forefront for championing legislation to support maternal and child health outcomes, school health (COVID-related), and racial and health equity.
Health Officer Maya Lordo is a graduate from the Health Sciences’ Public Health Education Master's program and is a current adjunct, currently teaching Comprehensive Health Planning (HLTH 621) and Environmental Health (HLTH 301).
Adjunct Professor Steven Campos, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, and Health Sciences Internship partners, Frank Gilmore and Evelyn Mercado (HOPES Cap) have been recognized for their community work in fighting COVID. Learn more.
Adjunct Professor Steven Campos (Hudson CMO) has been awarded for his excellence in combatting violence in Jersey City as a “Gun Sense Champion,” alongside Senator Cory Booker and Governor Phil Murphy.
Six current PHE undergraduate students h