Public Administration Alumnus Appointed Chief of Fire and Emergency Services for Cranberry Township Alumni Profile
Meet Scott Garing
- Job Title & Employer
- Chief of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for Cranberry Township, Cranberry Township
- Major/Program
- Public Administration
- Graduation
- April 2017
- Hometown
- Evans City, Pa.
- High School
- Seneca Valley High School
- Now Living In
- Lancaster Township, Pa.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Camping with my family and friends and hunting
"During our search for the new chief of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services we reached out to our colleagues around the region to get recommendations. Scottie Garing’s name continued to pop up as someone we should talk with. After contacting Chief Garing and having met him the first time, it was clear that his energy, passion and commitment to the profession were a perfect match for our organization. The fact that Scottie not only had real-life experience, but also a public administration degree from Point Park confirmed for the Township that he possessed both the educational background and practical knowledge necessary to be successful in the position."
"The public administration program is taught by experts in the field. Classes on public safety and public admin subjects helped us excel at the different things that most of us are trying to do or need to implement in the organizations we are tasked with leading."
How did you become Cranberry Township’s chief of fire and emergency services?
To be honest, ever since I started in the fire service field, I always thought that Cranberry Township would be a fantastic place to work. It’s a progressive township that is always expanding. The leadership of the Township reached out to me when the position opened. They knew my background, history and capabilities and asked me to take the position and help lead them down the road to success.
Why did you choose our public administration program?
I have spent a lot of time focusing on training for public safety. Point Park University took all of those professional certifications and turned them into my associate's degree (which led to earning a bachelor's degree in public administration). That, coupled with being a working adult, father, fire chief and a husband, I needed an option that I could do it all online.
Tell us about the work you are doing as the new chief.
I am directly responsible for overseeing the contracts that the Township has with the volunteer fire company, emergency medical services and the emergency management agency. My largest tasks are assisting the leadership at the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, including helping them accomplish aspects of their strategic plan.
What were your favorite Point Park public administration classes and why?
The public administration program is taught by experts in the field. Classes on public safety and public admin subjects helped us excel at the different things that most of us are trying to do or need to implement in the organizations we are tasked with leading.
What career advice do you have for individuals pursuing public service positions?
If you plan to excel and have a desire to move up the career ladder, you need to have some education behind you. Yes, education is not EVERYTHING, but it is a start and helps you understand some of the things you may have to manage. You also need to have the education to do some of the jobs that you may be asked to do.
Point Park's public administration classes are designed to give you exposure to all kinds of different subjects to ensure you can effectively work in the environment.