Fire Science Faculty & Staff

Walter Nugent: Chairperson
Deputy Chief Walter Nugent is a career fire officer with the Township of Maplewood Fire Department in Essex County NJ and a Fire Marshal in Chatham Borough NJ. Walter started his career in the fire service as a volunteer joining the North Arlington Fire Department in 1986 and was hired as a career firefighter in Maplewood in 1994. Walter was promoted to Captain in 2003 and Deputy Chief in 2007. Walter earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Kean University in 2003, a Bachelor of Fire Science degree from New Jersey City University in 1998, and a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Kean University in 1991. Walter holds multiple fire service and construction inspection licenses/certifications with the state of NJ. Water is also certified with the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) as a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and certified with the National Association of Fire Instigators (NAFI) as a certified fire and explosion investigator (CFEI), conducting fire investigations for a private investigation company.

Anna Scanniello: Administrative Assistant
Ms. Scanniello brings to the Fire Science department over 25 years of administrative and instructional experience. She received her B.S. degree from York College of Pennsylvania and a Master's of Public Administration from Kean College. Her career began at the Summit YWCA, in Summit, NJ where she was the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Director. She was then hired by the Millburn Police Department as a Police Officer, graduating as Valedictorian of the Jersey City Police Academy, Class #57. She left the police department to raise her children. As her children grew, Ms. Scanniello began working full time holding both Associate Director and Director positions throughout the YMCA primarily in the areas of Safety and Aquatics. Ms. Scanniello is also an Adjunct Professor for the department.

Anthony Avillo: Adjunct Professor
Anthony Avillo retired in March 2015 after a 30-year career in the fire service. Avillo was a Deputy Chief in North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire & Rescue, assigned as 1st Platoon regional tour commander. He holds a Master’s Degree in National Security Studies and a BS degree in Fire Science from New Jersey City University. Avillo was previously Director and Deputy Fire Marshal at the Monmouth County (NJ) Fire Academy. He is an Adjunct Professor at New Jersey City University.

Richard Burchell: Adjunct Professor
Deputy Chief Burchell started his firefighting career in the Teaneck Fire Dept. in 1994. He served as a union representative and president of his firefighter local. He earned his EMT certification and worked on multiple ambulance squads. He is chairperson of the department  senior citizen welfare check-up program. He has gained experience conducting cause and origin investigations for the department for the past fifteen years. He developed and taught a wide variety of training programs to help promote the safety of firefighters as well as to educate the general public of the importance of fire safety and prevention when he was the department training officer after being promoted to the rank of captain. Lastly he helped to implement and maintain the department’s first CAD system and fire prevention records management system. Prof. Burchell has a Bachelor’s degree from Pace University in Management Administration and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Edward Campbell: Lead Instructor
Mr. Campbell is a retired Captain with the Jersey City Fire Department; with more than 25 years of fire service experience. Prior to being appointed to the Jersey City FD, Mr. Campbell served time in the U.S. Air Force. He attended St. Peter's College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the National Fire Academy. He is a licensed Fire Inspector, Fire Official and Fire Service Instructor. During his career with JCFD, he was Commander of the Fire Prevention Bureau and Commander of the Community Relations Bureau. Mr. Campbell has also held such positions as: the first minority recruiter for the JCFD; coordinator, administrator and lead instructor for the Jersey City High School Police and Fire Science Program; instructor for the Jersey City Fire Training Academy.

Antonio Gary: Adjunct Professor
Chief Gary began his career in public safety in 1982 as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with Record Ambulance (Orange, NJ). In 1985 Chief Gary was employed as an Emergency Medical Technician with University Hospital of Medicine and Dentistry (Newark, NJ) and retired as a Tour Chief in 2011. Chief Gary started his professional Firefighter career in 1995 with the City of Orange Fire Department. He then joined the Irvington Fire Department in 1997 and has served in all ranks and positions from Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, Executive Officer to the Fire Director, Administrative Aide to the Chief of Department, Deputy Chief Aide, Safety Officer, Recruitment Officer, Affirmative Action Officer, Grant Writer, and Training Officer. In 2016, Chief Gary was appointed as Chief of the Irvington Fire Department and is currently serving in that capacity. Chief Gary is a former a member of the New Jersey State Police Urban Search and Rescue Team (New Jersey Task Force One NJ-TF1) and is a recipient of a NJ State Senate and Assembly Joint Resolution recognizing response and recovery actions taken in response to the World Trade Center after the events of September 11, 2001.  Chief Gary holds a master's degree in Public Administration (Emergency and Disaster Preparedness), a Bachelor of Science degree (Biology), and an associate degree. He has successfully completed the four-year Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Chief Gary also successfully completed the Rutgers University Certified Public Manager Program (CPM). Chief Gary currently presides on the Executive Boards as Vice-president for both the New Jersey Career Fire Chiefs Association and the Essex County Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Gary is certified by the State Division of Fire Safety as a Level 3 Incident Manager, Fire Inspector, Level II Fire Instructor, and a Hazmat Incident Commander.  Chief Gary is also an Emergency Medical Technician with New Jersey Department of Health.

Michael Hurley: Adjunct Professor
Professor Hurley is retired from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with 34 years' experience. A majority of his career was spent at the World Trade Center, where he was the World Trade Center Fire Director, responsible for fire and emergency management activities. Professor Hurley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in fire science and a Master's degree in public administration. He regularly instructs classes and lectures on fire and emergency management related topics to a variety of private organizations, government agencies and military units. He also serves with the US Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leadership Team. During his career, Professor Hurley has been formally commended on various occasions. Most notably he has been awarded medals for valor and heroism for his actions during the 1993 terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center and the attacks of September 11, 2001. He is also the recipient of the NJCU Distinguished Alumni Award and a member of the FDNY Honorary Fire Officers Association.

Kenneth Jenks: Adjunct Professor 
Battalion Chief Kenneth Jenks is a career fire officer with the City of Summit Fire Department in Union County New Jersey. Ken started his career in the fire service as a volunteer with the Summit Fire Dept. in 1997 and was hired as a career firefighter in Summit in 2004. Ken was then promoted to Battalion Chief in 2021. Ken earned a Master of Administrative Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2014, a Bachelor of Fire Science degree from New Jersey City University in 2011, and an Associate of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1993. He is also a Fire Instructor at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy since 2014.

Mario J Moody retired Captain with the Jersey City Fire Department; with more than 25 years of fire service experience 1n 2015. He attended St. Hudson College and the National Fire Academy. He is a licensed Fire Inspector, Fire Official and Fire Service Instructor Level I and II. During his career with JCFD, he was Commander of the Fire Department Recruitment and Commander of the Community Relations Bureau. Mr. Moody has also held such positions as: administrator of High-Rise Inspection and On- Site Testing and instructor for the Jersey City High School Police and Fire Science Program 2001-2015. Mr. Moody holds multiple fire service Fire Official licenses/certifications with the state of New Jersey Fire Safety. Even after retirement helping hand to many Non-Profit organizations, After School program as a consultant to local residents and business owners dealing with municipal and New State violations and codes.

William Newberry: Adjunct Professor
Prof. Newberry began his journey in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with the Wall Fire Company, working his way up the ranks to Chief, before transitioning to a career role with the agency as Director of Fire Services. He currently serves as Fire Administrator of the Wall Township Fire District, overseeing the daily operations of the Department, as well as the Fire Marshal's Office. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in fire science from New Jersey City University, Bill went on to complete his Master’s degree in Public Administration at Rutgers University. A past president of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association, Bill has attained his Certified Public Managers (CPM) designation, as well as Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) certification, in addition to multiple fire and emergency medical service licenses & certifications. Experienced in fire district administration, with a focus on procurement, Mr. Newberry serves as a consultant to several fire districts throughout the state of New Jersey.

Henry Sisbarro: Adjunct Professor
D.C. Henry Sisbarro is a career fire officer with the Twp. of Union Fire Dept. Henry started his emergency services career in the spring of 1997, volunteering at Callmen’s Emergency Medical Unit. Henry quickly found his passion for emergency services and joined the Union Fire Department late in 1997 as a volunteer. Hired as a career firefighter in 2000, Henry was promoted to Lieutenant in 2006, Captain in 2010, Battalion Chief in 2017 and Deputy Chief 2022. Henry is also a NJ State certified Paramedic and a New Jersey Licensed Registered Nurse. Henry earned his Master of Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University, a Bachelor of Fire Science degree from NJCU with honors, and an Associate of Nursing degree from Excelsior College. Henry has previously served as the Union Fire Departments EMS Division and Training Division Officer. Henry is currently the Pre-Hospital Medicine Program Director for RWJBH also instructs multiple medical disciplines and is a Level 2 State fire instructor.

Keith Weaver: Adjunct Professor
Chief Weaver has been with the Bayonne Fire Department since 1990, and is the Chief of the Dept. Prof. Weaver received both a bachelor's degree in Fire Science and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University. He also holds a certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Homeland Security Specialization from North Central University. Prof. Weaver's extensive background includes but limited to: being a NJ State Arson Investigator, Train the Trainer, certified EMT and Fire Instructor Level 1.