Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) students looking for tuition discounts, college credits and an adrenaline rush can find all that and more at Moorestown Fire Department.
The partnership between RCBC and the fire department was solidified in 2018. It was established to help increase membership within the fire department and foster education for interested students.
It includes a tuition discount program — up to 10 percent — for RCBC students who volunteer eight hours per week with Moorestown. Students who volunteer 16 hours per week may be eligible for up to $1,500 per semester. Students who obtain their Firefighter 1 and go on to volunteer will receive seven college credits from RCBC.
Student and Department Benefits
The first RCBC student to take advantage of the program was Matt Voza. Voza was in the process of becoming Firefighter I certified through his hometown fire company, Burlington Township Fire Department, when he learned about the opportunity at Moorestown. At the time, the program was a few months away from being implemented; Voza was the first to inquire and ultimately the first to join the program.
“The RCBC program is a great opportunity,” Voza said. “You get the benefits of the college, tuition being paid, and you also get to gain more experience.”
To be considered for the program, students need to be at least 18 years old, hold a Firefighter I Division of Fire Safety certification from the state of New Jersey, be declared physically fit and pass a background check. The program was initially only open to those students in RCBC’s Fire Science program with hopes of reaching a particular group of students, but is now open to all students, regardless of major.
One of the goals of the collaboration was to combat the response gap that exists during the daytime, when most members are working daytime jobs and unable to be at the fire station or respond to calls. Students are expected to schedule their eight hours (two, four-hour days or one, eight-hour day each week) during the daytime and participate in department training.
“Having one more certified firefighter available to jump into action during the day lends to a quicker response time and better service,” Moorestown Training Officer Bart Santaspirt said.
Volunteering during daytime hours is a great way for students to study or catch up on schoolwork — albeit as long as the fire alarm doesn’t go off, and not in place of any other required duties at the station.
“When I was with the program, I’d do my homework and everything needed for school during my volunteer hours,” Voza said.
Gaining New Experiences
Moorestown and RCBC are seeking students who have interest in becoming certified as a Firefighter I or perhaps somebody already certified — or in the process — who is interested in volunteering with Moorestown and taking advantage of the opportunities the program offers.
Once the program launched, it made perfect sense for Voza — a newly-certified Firefighter I — to join the program. Both of Moorestown’s fire stations are about a 10-minute drive from the college’s campus.
He volunteered with Moorestown for about two years, and the experiences he gained in that time helped him become a better firefighter as he was able to view day-to-day processes and learn valuable lessons.
“Matt was a huge asset to our fire department,” Moorestown Fire Department District Administrator Chris Chesner said. “He was well-received by our members and he was able to gain valuable experience while volunteering with us.”
Voza was able to bring ideas from Burlington Township and vice versa. It was beneficial for him to be exposed to the different buildings, structures and homes that make up each neighborhood, the equipment used and the way both departments handle any situation that arises.
“Seeing how a different department operates and does things, it opened my eyes,” Voza said. “They can gain experience on a truck and learn things they might never get to see in their own town.”
Finding the Next Benefactors
While the program has proven to be successful, both Moorestown and RCBC feel there are more potential student-volunteers out there who would find the program to be highly beneficial. The department will be active at the college’s Career Day and will be working with local high schools on potential future partnerships.
“Students will gain experience and a wealth of knowledge to prepare them for the workforce,” Santaspirt said.
The partnerships are part of collaborative efforts to ensure that Moorestown receives high level services and that RCBC students are given an opportunity to gain experience while helping towards tuition costs. The skills gained as a firefighter not only look great on a resume, but can be applied in a career, particularly for those students in RCBC’s Fire Science program. And being able to share in the camaraderie that comes with being a volunteer and provide a valuable service to the community is a priceless experience.
“Serving the community and helping give back is highly satisfying,” Voza said.
For more information on the RCBC partnership and how to take advantage, contact Moorestown Training Officer Bart Santaspirt at bsantaspirt@moorestownfire.org. And to learn more about Moorestown Fire Department or to fill out an inquiry form, visit http://www.MoorestownFire.org/.