NJ Fire Guys Run #: 24-027 w/ Chief Constance Zappella

NJ Fire GuysRun#: 24-027Date: August 15, 2024Guest: Chief Constance Zappella  Chief Constance Zappella began her fire service career when she was appointed to the Jersey City Fire Department in 2003, becoming the departments first female Firefighter. Upon graduation from the Proby School, Connie was assigned Engine 9 where she spent her first 5 years prior to transferring to Squad 4.  After 8 years as a Firefighter in the 4th Battalion, Zappella promoted to Captain in 2011 and became part of the Command Staff of Engine Co. 17. Connie stayed at 17 Engine until 2017 when she again promoted to Battalion Chief. As Battalion Chief, Zappella’s first assignment was the Training Division, where she became a Level 2 Fire Instructor and oversaw several recruit classes. During this time Chief Zappella also decided to join one those classes and became an EMT.  Chief Zappella was instrumental in creating the departments Field Training Officer Program, with the assistance of Lou Pepe and Chief Tony Della Rosa, which helps bring the Training Division up to compliance and increases the agency’s ISO rating. Chief Zappella filled the FTO position until assuming Command of the 2nd Battalion on Group A.  In November of 2022 Chief Zappella promoted again to Deputy Chief and was again assigned to the Departments Division of Training. Since becoming the Chief of Training, Zappella has made it a priority to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations and mandates, such as, IMS and Firefighter 2 standards.  Beyond being the first career female Deputy Fire Chief in the Garden State, Zappella is also a loving and attentive mother to Erica (spelled like Merica) and a Licensed and practicing NJ Real Estate agent. Constance also holds degrees in Economics and Sociology and is NJ licensed Fire Official.#NJFireGuys #TheOutsideVent #FirePodcast #GardenState #Firefighting #Fireman #FireTraining #FireChat #NJ