PETERSBURG — At the recommendation of Mayor Jay Newman, Township Committee approved the promotion of four EMTs during its meeting Jan. 8.
“I am requesting to promote four EMTs, in accordance with getting the command structure lined up and for the safety and benefit of not only our EMS members but all of the residents of the township,” Newman said.
The biographies of the promoted EMTs were provided by Upper Township.
Division of EMS Chief Mellissa Coker was introduced to the EMS world starting at the age of 15 as a junior member of the Minotola Rescue Squad alongside her mother and grandfather.
Coker, whose title was upgraded from temporary status, started as a part-time EMT with Upper Township in 1999. She then was hired full-time in 2005. Prior to her full-time career with Upper Township, she worked for Ocean City Police Department as a dispatcher for five years.
Throughout her course of full-time employment with the township, Coker served as a Senior EMT from 2015 to 2019, deputy chief from 2019 to 2021 and then temporary chief since 2021.
Throughout her career, Chief Coker has had the privilege of attending the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md., for two 14-day courses: Management of Emergency Medical Services and Advanced Leadership.
Coker has also had the honor of being a part of the delivery of a baby during her career. She has been a consistent supporter of mental health training for staff throughout her time in various positions. Coker has a husband and daughter whom she is proud to say serve as dedicated volunteers in the public safety field within Upper Township as well.
John Brittin Jr., a longtime Upper Township resident, has always been active in his community; from serving in his local church to working at his family’s local pharmacy and health food store.
Brittin, who was promoted to deputy chief, has continuously felt drawn to service, spending much time through his high school years involved in short-term mission work both foreign and domestic.
Brittin began his journey in EMS as a senior at Ocean City High School. It was at that time that he began volunteering as an EMT with the Upper Township Rescue Squad. He took his passion for EMS with him to Rowan University, where he volunteered as an EMT while completing his undergraduate studies.
Shortly afterward, Upper Township hired Brittin as a part-time EMT in 2017. For the ensuing three years, Brittin balanced his studies and many hours as a volunteer EMT at Rowan University among working part time in Upper Township as an EMT, Inspira Medical Center of Elmer as an Emergency Department Technician and CrowdRx in Camden as an EMT.
During the same time frame, Brittin climbed the ranks at Rowan University EMS, serving as captain for his final two years with the department. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in advertising, Brittin was hired by the township as a full-time EMT while beginning his graduate studies online in public administration.
He went on to complete a series of training and certificate programs that assisted in further equipping him to be more effective in the field. Some of these included New Jersey Emergency Medical Dispatcher, National Fire Academy’s Managing Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Manager 1.
Brittin was appointed as provisional Senior EMT in September 2021 and then Supervising EMT in April 2022. He is currently enrolled in New Jersey Civil Service Commission’s Certified Public Manager program held by Rutgers University with an expected graduation of summer 2024.
Jennifer Teasenfitz, who was promoted to supervisor, began in the public safety field in 1999 as a 911 telecommunicator/dispatcher for the Middle Township Police Department where she served for 17 years.
After receiving her EMT certification in 2008, she became a volunteer member with the Rio Grande Rescue Squad. She was a volunteer member there until 2021 and was recognized as a life member in 2014.
Teasenfitz was employed by the Middle Township EMS department in 2009. She served there through 2021, the last four years of which she held the title of Senior EMT. In 2021, Teasenfitz was hired by Upper Township as a part-time EMT and then soon after as a full-time EMT in July 2022.
Johnathan Carter obtained his EMT certification at the age of 16 and quickly began volunteering with the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company and then the Upper Township Rescue Squad.
Carter, who was promoted to supervisor, has been no stranger to the public safety field, having the privilege of watching his father, the recently retired chief of Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company, serve in the fire services since he was a child.
Carter’s previous EMS experience comes from his employment as an EMT with Millville Fire Department, Sea Isle City EMS and Stone Harbor Fire Department. Carter also works as a seasonal EMT with the Ocean City Beach Patrol, where he just recently accepted a promotion to lieutenant of EMS.
Upper Township hired Carter as a part-time EMT in 2019 and then later as a full-time EMT in 2020. Since then, he has obtained his Firefighter 1 certification in 2021 and enrolled in paramedic school in 2022. Some of Carter’s collected certifications over the past few years have included Mental Health Resilience Officer, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, CPR Instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor and Field Training Officer.
In Carter’s spare time, he enjoys being active in the community, including coaching lacrosse for the Upper Township Warriors. He loves to travel and had the privilege of being part of the cleanup efforts in Houston following a hurricane.
“Listening to all of that experience makes us really recognize how safe we are in this community because we know health care tends to be an on-the-job-learning type of situation, so we appreciate all of the knowledge and experience you bring,” Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes said. “I’d like to say thank you for your personal investment in our community. I know every time we have an event in the community, every time there is a sports program that needs someone to respond or to hang out to make sure everybody is OK, you’re spending your personal time.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff