The Coaster

By TOM CARDINALE

The new year will begin a new era for the Bradley Beach Fire Department when Nicole Zech, 31, will be sworn in as the borough’s first female fire chief.

Zech, whose father, John Zech, has served as chief numerous times in his 31 years on the squad and most recently in 2002, said it wasn’t a position in which she ever saw herself.

I really didn’t want to do it, Zech said of joining the fire department seven years ago. One of my friends who passed away, TJ Flood, he really pushed me into it. I was talking to his father and he (TJ) said I should do it.

He went right into it, she continued. When we were kids, we would go to calls and help. It came second nature to him.

Zech, who works as a police dispatcher for the Bradley Beach Police Department, said although she never imagined being chief, she feels very supported by her fellow firefighters.

My department is very supportive, she said. My guys are really good. When Im on the job, I’m not a girl, Im just a firefighter with them.

Zech, who calls herself head diva as the only female in the department, said she hopes she can set an example for other women.

Im hoping it brings more females to the department, she said. And to have female kids look and say, Yeah, I can do this.

Im really happy to serve my community, she continued. Its really funny to see people look at me and say, Is that a girl?

Before taking on her job as police dispatcher and joining the fire department, Zech had much more traditional career aspirations.

I wanted to be a veterinarian, she said. Then I found out I had to go to medical school.

Zech, who underwent her training at the Fire Academy in Monmouth, said despite her initial hesitation to join the department, she found she enjoyed it.

It was difficult and it was hard but once I got into it and realized I had a knack for it I was happy, she said.

Her new position, however, brings a whole new set of responsibilities.

I run the department, she said. When the truck pulls up, I decide who goes where and what we need. Ive seen my father be chief, but to do it myself, I dont know. Its very nerve wracking.

She also finds herself in another unlikely position: as her father’s superior.

I guess I can handle her being the boss for a year, John Zech said. It makes me very proud. Shes a very independent person. She set her mind to it and she went and did it.

I basically left it up to her, he said about his daughter following in his footsteps. I never discouraged her but it was one hundred percent her decision.

Zech will be sworn in at a special meeting of the borough council Tuesday, January 1 at noon. She said she is looking forward to bringing some of her own qualities to the position.

Im very devils advocate, she said. Im willing to listen to everyones opinions and form a decision thats good for everyone. Im going to bring levelheadedness to the job and just prove to myself – and everyone – that I can do it.

Contact Tom Cardinale at tom@thecoaster.net.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 5:42 pm and is filed under Bradley Beach, Municipal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.