with Robert Ferrara
Born, raised and resides:
Lyndhurst
Education:
Bergen County Police
and Fire Academy
Family:
Wife, Janice of 16 years; sons Robert, age 11, and Eric, age 7
Hobbies:
Fishing and bow-hunting
Pastimes:
Boy Scout leader; T-ball and Little League coach
Favorite music:
Classic rock
If you're ever in a life-threatening situation, Robert Ferrara
is the guy you want around. With more than 18 years' experience and training
in a variety of emergency services, Montclair State's fire safety compliance
coordinator is a real-life rescue hero.
Robert joined the staff in January, and immediately got to work inspecting
all campus buildings as required by the state Division of Fire and Safety.
Having worked as a state inspector himself, Robert knew exactly what areas
to tackle.
"I'm used to being on the other end," he explained. "I
know what they are looking for and can head off any problems before they
get here. It makes everyone's lives a lot easier."
Robert also is involved with new construction projects, including the
Children's Center and the New Academic Building, offering his advice and
expertise on safety issues.
"Having a fireman's background, I look at things differently than
the planners or the architects," he said. "On the drawings,
something could look nice and pretty, but might pose a future problem."
That fireman's background began when Robert joined Lyndhurst's Volunteer
Fire Department at the age of 18. He served as fire chief from 1997 to
2000 and founded the department's Underwater Search and Rescue Team. He
remains a member of the fire department as well as the Lyndhurst Emergency
Squad. "The fire department is family," he said. "It's
what you do and it gets in your blood."
Robert also worked for 15 years at Hoffmann-LaRoche, where
he was involved with the company's ambulance squad. "Because we were
industry, we got into heavy rescue," he said. "We had to be
knowledgeable in things like confined space and high-angle rescue."
For what might sound like scary stuff to some people, Robert seems nonchalant
about his training in biochemical terrorism, trench rescue, nuclear power
plant emergencies, vehicle extrication, cold water rescue and weapons
of mass destruction.
High on his list of priorities is giving back the community,
so Robert spends much of his free time training other firefighters in
survival skills, a course that teaches them unique ways to get out of
tough situations because "it's not always going to happen by the
book." He also makes presentations at his hometown high school during
Fire Prevention Week.
"I don't do a 'Sparky the Fire Dog' type of demonstration,"
he said. "I do more of a hard-core presentation, showing them photos
of students who have died. They can relate better when they see a picture
of someone their age. I tell them what they have to be aware of at college.
I try to enlighten them and open their eyes by giving them facts and figures
on the Seton Hall fire, and the reasons why so many people got hurt."
Educating students about fire safety is one aspect of the job Robert enjoys
most. "I know what fire does. I know what could happen," he
said. "I want them to be aware and to educate them as much as I can."
Yet he says communication is also one of his biggest challenges as he
not only tries to enforce the rules, but to explain why they are necessary.
Having a niece at Montclair State has given him an added incentive to
spread the word. "She asked me, 'Why do we get yelled at for keeping
our dorm room doors open?' I told her the rooms are compartmentalized,
so if there's a fire anywhere and the door is open, the smoke's going
to come in," he said. "Now she understands."