9 minute read
Metuchen’s First Female Fire Lieutenant
from 08840 Metuchen | June 2022
by nmg
FITNESS COACH/PILOT Heats Up
METUCHEN COMMUNITY
BY RYAN GALLAGHER
This is Jackie: She’s a 31-year-old from Old Bridge and she does pretty much everything there is to do. You’re thinking … What? Well, Jaclyn Navara is a full-time engineer and in her spare time she’s got a few hobbies. Navara is a fitness coach, she’s got her pilot’s license, she goes snowboarding, and most important to her local community: she is a volunteer firefighter. In fact, she’s the first-ever female fire officer in the 140 years that the Metuchen
Fire Department has existed. Navara is an interesting character due to her many daily activities and interests. Above all, she’s recognized for her selfless work at the volunteer fire department and the impact she’s made on Metuchen’s community. It’s also a wonder how she gets any sleep, maintains a prestigious full-time career, and finds time for health and fitness. Feeling bad for sitting on the couch binging Game of Thrones yet? “I’m the first in my family to become a firefighter. At some point growing up, my parents said I should give back,” explained Navara, an engineer, firefighter and general sports woman. “[Volunteering at the fire department] is my way of giving back. It seemed challenging, and I wanted more hands-on experience that was different than the technical side of my engineering career.” Most humans see something challenging and shy away. One conversation with Navara and you’ll find she isn’t like most humans. She’s got a lot to say. She’s able to articulate those teeming thoughts in a clear fashion, and she does it all with a smile. Navara’s “third job” brings these favorable traits to the foreground. Over her almost seven years as a volunteer firefighter, she’s served communities like
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Old Bridge, Blenheim and now Metuchen. Currently a fire department lieutenant, she leads platoons of other firefighters, conducts trainings, and engages directly with her community in Metuchen. She’s experienced in fire rescue services, fire prevention, has learned how to maintain fire equipment, and has also developed additional organizational and team skills.
Unlike certain talents that are only used in technical or business environments, Navara stresses that her volunteer work has taught her to communicate clearly with empathy.
please see NAVARA, page 7
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NAVARA continued from page 6 In some cases, she must communicate with Metuchen residents on the “worst day of their lives.” She is the one who must remain calm, patient and professional in spells of uncertainty. “A lot of times we get calls from people who are concerned if it is safe for them to go to sleep that nicate with Metuchen residents on the “worst day of their lives.” She is the one who must remain calm, patient and professional in spells of uncertainty. “A lot of times we get calls from people who are concerned if it is safe for them to go to sleep that night. I will explain something three night. I will explain something three to four different ways to see it in to four different ways to see it in their eyes that it clicks with them,” she said. their eyes that it clicks with them,” she said. “And we do enjoy it. People should know it’s “And we do enjoy it. People should know it’s not bothersome and we want to make comnot bothersome and we want to make community feel safe. Everyone should be able to munity feel safe. Everyone should be able to sleep through the whole night. It’s sleep through the whole night. It’s very rewarding.” very rewarding.”
Careers in the fire or police Careers in the fire or police department are not only physically department are not only physically demanding, but mentally demanddemanding, but mentally demanding. Individuals like Navara give up ing. Individuals like Navara give up their time and commit to training their time and commit to training that the community can rely on that the community can rely on in times of need. Whether it’s the in times of need. Whether it’s the fire academy, weekly trainings, crisis fire academy, weekly trainings, crisis management or any educational dismanagement or any educational discipline — public servants like Navara cipline — public servants like Navara must remain up-to-date on recommust remain up-to-date on recommended protocol when responding mended protocol when responding to any type of call. to any type of call.
“We can always get different calls, “We can always get different calls, so we have to get repetition in, so so we have to get repetition in, so we stay fresh with CPR trainings we stay fresh with CPR trainings and every week there’s a new topic. and every week there’s a new topic. We never know what we’re getting We never know what we’re getting into. I’ve responded to all sorts of calls like into. I’ve responded to all sorts of calls like fire rescues, hazmat, car fires, smoke detecfire rescues, hazmat, car fires, smoke detectors, monoxide, emergency care,” explained tors, monoxide, emergency care,” explained Navara. Navara.
And as specified, there is a human interacAnd as specified, there is a human interaction element to her volunteer work. Besides tion element to her volunteer work. Besides staying current on firefighting techniques, staying current on firefighting techniques, Navara is often seen meeting with Girl Scout Navara is often seen meeting with Girl Scout troops, or riding in Metuchen fire trucks at troops, or riding in Metuchen fire trucks at the Spring Fair. the Spring Fair.
“Volunteer communities are different. In “Volunteer communities are different. In Metuchen, I am in charge of coordinating Metuchen, I am in charge of coordinating social events, and keeping morale is very social events, and keeping morale is very important,” she said. “I enjoy fire prevention important,” she said. “I enjoy fire prevention night at the school. The kids see us dress up night at the school. The kids see us dress up to know we’re not scary. We’re the friendly to know we’re not scary. We’re the friendly firefighters to help the community.” firefighters to help the community.”
For this reason, people who live in For this reason, people who live in Metuchen have seen Navara — even if they don’t recall.
“I am also Mrs. Claus for Christmas time,” smiled Navara. “I know some kids’ names and I yell out to them. So, it’s special because we’re a smaller community.”
If you can believe it, Jackie Navara still has other obligations when she’s done at the firehouse on any given day. Her other passion is fitness, and her various hobbies reflect this lifestyle.
“I teach nine to 10 classes a week at CrossFit Stealth, and I also attend other classes to get my workout in,” she said. “I’ve been involved with the gym for six years - coaching there, doing classes about lifting and learning, and working out every hour.”
As a graduate from Rowan University with a degree in mechanical engineering, Navara has a prestigious full-time gig in her industry. Over the years since college graduation, she’s taken her talents to companies in the food industry like Dupont, Nestle and Kerry Ingredients, where she’s worked as an engineering and maintenance manager.
“The food industry runs 24/7,” said a not-yet-exhausted Navara. “I manage the department’s budget, oversee large from your home.
When asked why she feels so strongly about priorities like volunteer work and coaching, Navara paused to think.
“Well, there have been times when we’ve saved something special out of a burning
projects, ensure the service level is monitored, and perform audits. And on weekends if something comes up, I’m responding.”
When she does find a moment free from volunteer fire work, CrossFit coaching and engineering—Navara is snowboarding, lifting weights, flying planes, scuba diving, playing soccer with friends, and more. Her most recent goals include surfing in Spring Lake this summer season and training for a full marathon (two half-marathons don’t count, apparently).
“Usually, it’s hard to find time for sleep,” laughed Navara. “I always make time for my priorities.”
Those priorities make for an interesting story. The best part about this story is that it’s all real and happening just down the street bedroom like a wedding picture or a person’s safe. Those people are relieved we were there and helped them through the night,” she responded.
She also claims that she hopes to serve as an inspiration to younger females who have questions about oft male-dominated industries like engineering and weightlifting.
Navara’s lifestyle is a beacon of hope for those who are consumed by negative news headlines. She, like many of her counterparts, is a true public servant and forever student. Next time you see her, send your “thanks” and tell her to take a well-deserved breather.■
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACLYN NAVARA Jaclyn Navara is the fi rst female fi re offi cer for the Metuchen Fire Department. Plus, she is a CrossFit trainer, pilot and a full-time engineer.
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