Meet the outstanding staff at 猫咪社区's Public Safety Training Academy. These accomplished instructors are experts in their discipline. They guide students in their academic pursuits and help them achieve their goals.
John Dixon CFO, CTO, GIFireE
John Dixon is a retired Battalion Chief / Tour Commander of the Teaneck Fire Department in New Jersey, bringing over 30 years of distinguished service to the fire profession. He has earned his Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief Training Officer (CTO) credentials from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, achieved Graduate Grade (GIFireE) status with the Institution of Fire Engineers, and holds the Training Officer (TO) credential from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. John is also a proud National Fire Academy alumnus.
With a deep passion for training, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of firefighters and officers, John has served as an instructor with the Bergen County Fire Academy, a member of Project Kill The Flashover, and currently serves as the Director of the Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy. In addition, he is the Director of Emergency Management at 猫咪社区.
John believes his time as a U.S. Marine instilled core principles that have guided his fire service career, discipline, education, and servant leadership. He is dedicated to helping others pursue continuous improvement through high-quality training and education. His definition of success is seeing those he has trained, mentored, and inspired grow into exceptional leaders who, in turn, motivate others, creating a powerful ripple effect throughout the fire service.
John has presented at conferences at the international, national, and regional levels and continues to travel worldwide as an instructor and presenter.
SFI Crift has been in the fire service and EMS, holding many positions as a professional and volunteer for 45 years. He is retired from the City of Bayonne Fire Department after nearly 30 years of service. He is an instructor of many disciplines, including fire, rescue, EMS, and Rescue Task Force. SFI Crift is currently Deputy Chief responsible for Operations at the PSTA and Commander of the Sussex County Rescue Task Force.
SFI Southard has over 40 years of service with the Sussex Fire Department and served as its Chief of Department from 1999-2000. He has 25 years of service with the PSTA and was recently promoted to Instructor-In-Charge overseeing curriculum development and instructor professional development. He is married with five children and one grandchild. His interests include hunting and NASCAR. We wish to thank him for his continued service to our county and for seeking continuous improvement for the PSTA.
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Vincent has dedicated 28 years to the Fire Service in New Jersey. His certifications include Firefighter Levels 1 and 2, Fire Inspector, Fire Official, and Fire Instructor Levels 1 and 2. He is a former NJ State Fire Inspector and currently serves as an Instructor at the PSTA. A member of the Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department, Vincent is also a proud father of three. In his free time, he enjoys college football, fishing, hunting, and spending time in the islands.听
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John A. Hayowyk Sr. began his volunteer fire service in 1971, in the City of Passaic, as a member of the Passaic Civil Defense Auxiliary to the City of Passaic Fire Department. As a result of several career moves, he has been a member of three additional volunteer fire departments, Elmwood Park Volunteer Fire Department, NJ, Kings Park Volunteer Fire Department, NY, and is currently a past Department Chief and active member of the Roxbury Township Volunteer Fire Department in New Jersey.
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John Hayowyk Jr. recently retired as a Battalion Chief with the City of Passaic FD, NJ, after 31 years in the fire service. Much of his career was with the truck companies, advancing through the Training Division to Battalion Chief in 2020. A fire service instructor since 1997, he has taught at Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy since 2002. Starting as a volunteer with Roxbury Twp. FD, he now serves Sparta Twp. Volunteer FD. John has published articles in national trade magazines, teaches at conferences, serves as NJ鈥檚 Lead Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and is an Adjunct Professor of Fire Science at 猫咪社区.
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Bernie began his fire service career in 1980 as a volunteer firefighter in Hopatcong, NJ, eventually rising to Captain of Northwood Engine Company No. 2 and 2nd Assistant Chief of the Hopatcong Fire Department. He now serves as Chief Fire Marshal for the Borough and previously held roles as Fire Official in Frankford Township and Chair of the Sussex County UCC Board of Appeals. In 2022, Bernie became a Fire Instructor for Sussex PSTA, and he is also an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer and Pistol Instructor. A retired Electrical Engineer and FCC-licensed radio operator, Bernie actively shares his knowledge as an FCC Volunteer Examiner.
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William Hendrickson is a career public safety professional with over 50 years of experience in law enforcement, the fire service, emergency management, public health, and higher education. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Fire Science at 猫咪社区 and as a Fire Academy Instructor and Range Safety Officer at the Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy.
His career includes service with the New Jersey State Fire Marshal鈥檚 Office, Sussex County Department of Health (Hazardous Materials Team and Incident Commander), Vernon Township Fire Marshal鈥檚 Office, Bloomingdale Police Department (retired Sergeant), and the United States Army Military Police Corps. He has also served in leadership roles within the volunteer fire service.
He holds a Master of Science in Management with an emphasis in Public Administration and remains committed to advancing the public safety profession through contemporary, experience-based training and education.
Anthony La Manna brings more than 33 years of dedicated leadership and service in Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. His distinguished career spans both career and volunteer service, including roles as a Career Fire Chief and Firefighter in New Jersey and New York. Throughout his tenure, he has led and operated at complex fire suppression incidents, technical rescues, hazardous materials responses, and advanced EMS calls. He also serves as an OSHA subject matter expert and consultant for a national company, guiding workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Anthony currently serves as a Volunteer Deputy Chief, where he continues to mentor and develop the next generation of firefighters while maintaining operational readiness and command presence. His experience across diverse response environments provides students with practical, real-world insight into fireground operations, command decision-making, safety culture, and team leadership.
As an instructor, Anthony is known for combining hands-on experience with disciplined training standards. He emphasizes firefighter safety, accountability, strong leadership, and continuous professional development, preparing firefighters and officers to perform confidently and competently under pressure.
Jake Little has been an active member of the Sussex Fire Department for 36 years, holding roles from Secretary and President to EMS Captain and Chief (2015鈥�2016). He currently serves as the department鈥檚 State Relief Secretary.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Jake served as a Law Enforcement Specialist at McGuire AFB, NJ. He later built a career in public works, emergency services dispatching, and emergency management coordination.
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Instructor Malool brings over 45 years of experience in emergency management, fire science, and safety. A key figure in the merger of SCPSTA and SCCC, he now serves as an Adjunct in the Fire Science Program. Known for his hands-on expertise and academic insight, he has developed training programs, written for industry journals, and presented at seminars nationwide.
Instructor Musicant was born and raised in the fire service, beginning his volunteer career as a Jr. Firefighter in Bergen County in 1991. He was appointed as a career firefighter in 2006 and has since built a career centered on training, education, and professional development within the fire service.
Driven by a passion for instruction, Instructor Musicant has earned multiple instructor certifications and has attended training conferences and courses nationwide, learning from some of the most respected leaders in the American fire service. He currently serves as Chairman of the Training & Education Committee for the mutual-aid association where he is employed and assists in delivering training programs with a Florida-based training organization.
In 2025, he accepted a position with the SCCC | PSTA. He also contributes as an Adjunct Professor for the SCCC Fire Science program, further extending his commitment to developing the next generation of fire service professionals.
James Raperto Jr. began his dedicated service in Franklin in 2004, marking 20 years as an active member. With 14 years in Vernon, he has risen to the respected rank of Deputy Chief. He is a Level 2 Instructor contributing his expertise at the PSTA. Before his career in public service, James served in the United States Marine Corps as an 0811 artillery crewman for six years, further enhancing his skills and dedication. Outside of his professional life, James is engaged to Jackie and is a proud father of four lovely daughters.
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Bryan Schoch has over 20 years of fire service experience in both career and volunteer roles.
He began with the Jersey City Fire Department, advancing from a busy ladder company to Battalion Chief. He has managed training programs and currently leads as 2nd Battalion Chief in Jersey City鈥檚 Greenville section.
As a volunteer firefighter with the Secaucus Fire Department, he served as Chief in 2015-2016.
A graduate of Saint Peter鈥檚 University, Bryan holds multiple fire service certifications and brings extensive urban and suburban experience to the SCCC Public Safety Training Academy.
Instructor Stoll is a U.S. Navy veteran and lifelong fire service professional with over 30 years of experience. He served as Chief and President of the Sussex Fire Department and retired as a Lieutenant from the City of Clifton Fire Department in 2015. He continues to serve as an Assistant Fire Marshal and Fire Inspector, and has been a fire instructor since 2000. He holds numerous certifications, which he maintains through ongoing training.
Instructor Westervelt began his fire service career in 2015 in Passaic County as a volunteer firefighter. Through dedication and leadership, he advanced through the ranks to 1st Lieutenant.
After relocating to Morris County, he continued his service and currently serves as 1st Lieutenant in his new department, bringing strong operational experience and high standards to every assignment.
In 2025, he joined SCCC | PSTA as an instructor, committed to developing disciplined, proficient firefighters prepared for the demands of today鈥檚 evolving fireground.
Dawn Flanders is an Assistant Professor in the Criminal Justice Department and serves as the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator. She holds degrees from Ocean County College, Rutgers University, and Seton Hall University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at Seton Hall University specializing in education, leadership management, and policy.
Professor Flanders teaches criminal justice courses and serves as Faculty Advisor to the Criminal Justice Club. She also holds leadership roles within the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. Before entering higher education, she completed a 25-year career in law enforcement with a focus on community policing, school safety, and the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, violence, and gang involvement.