By Cathy Miller

Johanna Vargas, one of the newest firefighters to join the Phillipsburg Fire Department, graduated from the Warren County Fire Academy on June 23, 2019. She was one of only 19 graduates, and the only woman in the class. Johanna has lived in Phillipsburg for five years with her husband, Rey, daughter Melody, 6, and son Lino, 3.

Years ago, when she was attending school in Florida, she volunteered at the Sweetwater Fire Department in Miami. She said the volunteers there didn’t have much hands-on responsibility, which was somewhat disappointing to her. Her schoolwork was taking her in a very different direction career-wise, and, although she volunteered there only two or three months, the overarching sense of helping people in need stuck with her long after.

In Phillipsburg, Johanna began volunteering at Lincoln Engine Co #2, Engine 94-65, in January 2019. With an assignment to the firehouse approved, she entered the Fire Academy in February and graduated in June. Her cousin, Battalion Chief Alider Pratts, presented Johanna her Certificate of Fire Training during the ceremony. Currently, she’s waiting to enroll in Firefighter 2 class and “any other classes they throw my way,” adding, “the best and safest way to be good at what we do is to never stop learning.”

Students attending the Fire Academy are mostly Warren County residents, with a majority from Phillipsburg, Washington, and Blairstown. Generally, the class is completed in four months (February through May), but this year, due to several “snow” days, make-up days extended the session into June. The class totals 220 hours with three-hour classes on Tuesday and Thursday, 7 to 10 p.m., and an intensive, hands-on class each Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Turn-out gear is supplied by the fire department. It weighs a total of 40 pounds; the air tank worn on the back is 30 pounds. One can imagine how hot it gets wearing those suits, but Johanna explained, “The jackets are ‘encapsulated,’ meaning they keep the heat out.” One hour of working at a fire scene wearing all the aforementioned gear is comparable to working 24 hours straight on a construction site.

When asked about the most challenging part of the entire Fire Academy program, Johanna, 38, laughed and said, “the boys,” meaning the younger men (20-21 years old) in the class. At one point, she was required to cut a hole in a roof with an axe. One of the younger men had to support her from behind (literally). She admitted it was a little awkward, but probably less for her than the person in back of her! At some point, very early in the training, that all became moot – the main thing was to keep each other safe and get the job done. “Each other’s safety is a #1 priority, right up there with property and lives of others.” By the end of her training, she understood “there are no age groups, we’re all part of a team, we all work together.”

There’s also an onsite burn house used for, among other things, controlled fires. Instructors are inside starting, feeding and maintaining a blaze by burning hay, allowing the fire to grow bigger (or smaller) as needed. Think about this: the instructors are in the burning building, while the students are aiming firehoses in their direction. The trick is to douse the fire, but never the teachers! During this exercise, and pretty much everything they do on campus, it’s “two in, two out,” so it becomes routine that a firefighter is never solo. The Fire Academy also teaches basic CPR and First Aid as part of the fire training course. There are opportunities for more advanced certifications through Warren County Community College. Firefighters also take classes on how to deal with hazmat events, emotionally disturbed people, and active shooter situations.

Speaking of her months at the Academy, Johanna said she wasn’t so worried about hands-on stuff, but actually felt more pressure about studying and testing.

Johanna said that with two young children at home, “Studying was hard, not because of the subject matter but because of all the distractions with my kids.” Often, after her husband returned from work, she’d head to the firehouse where the “guys would help me and quiz me.”

Since graduation, her family has adjusted very well to her new commitments. Her kids love that she’s a firefighter. They’re very proud of her and always look forward to visiting the firehouse. They used to be so excited to see all the equipment, said Johanna, but that’s become old hat. Now they’re just happy to see the “family.” It even turns out Johanna’s daughter and her Captain’s daughter were friends in school before Johanna ever got involved with Lincoln Engine Company #2!

“Everyone made me feel so welcome,” Johanna said. “They’ve become family.” She was thrilled when “the whole department showed up for my graduation party.” It was at this celebration when her Chief presented her with a black helmet, labeled “SCBA [self-contained breathing apparatus] -certified.” She was especially honored by the gesture, since new graduates usually wear yellow helmets labeled “Probationary.” Red helmets are reserved for captains and lieutenants. The Fire Chief wears a white helmet.

“They’re [the more experienced firefighters] the real heroes. I’m just learning.” She anticipates “there are still mistakes to be made, as I’m new and always learning,” but under the watchful eyes of her superiors, any errors will be immediately rectified. Johanna said, “You can prepare someone for open heart surgery, but until you open up a chest, you just don’t know.”

That may be, but as a wife, mother, volunteer, and firefighter, this writer thinks Johanna Vargas is a great role model, proof positive that with dedication, hard work, and determination, success will follow. Johanna Vargas is confident but not cocky, smart but not bookish, outspoken but…only when necessary. And already a hero in the eyes of so many!

Johanna emphasized the need for more firefighters not just in Phillipsburg, but the entire county. For those interested in volunteering, get in touch with your local firehouse, or call Chief Gary Ricker, Sr. at 908-386-0005.

Editor: Updated 8/22 to reflect a more accurate work history.