Cape May County Technical Schools’ Law Enforcement and Public Safety students are receiving real-life, hands-on 9-1-1 officer training experience thanks to the program’s flourishing partnership with the director of the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management, Marty Pagliughi. Pagliughi continues to be an asset to the program and recently earned the honor of Cape Tech’s 2023 Business Partner of the Year.
Pagliughi has been involved with Cape Tech for many years but increased his support about three years ago. Pagliughi dedicates his time to meeting with the program’s instructor, Dan Loesch, and developing hands-on opportunities for the students, such as attending the county emergency communications center and listening to live 9-1-1 calls. During this experience, students take notes, ask questions, and develop a better understanding and respect for dispatching services.
Loesch and Pagliughi are formalizing students’ dispatching training to underscore the importance of following certain practices and procedures. Their goal is to provide senior students with the opportunity to earn a 9-1-1 dispatching certificate upon graduation.
“Valued professions, including emergency dispatching services, require extensive training, expertise, and succession planning as these services are required today and for many tomorrows,” said Pagliughi. “The partnership with Cape May County Technical High School provides tremendous value to our county as students can learn skills required for a successful career in a critically important component of public safety. We are pleased to offer this opportunity to students to demonstrate how they can enjoy a successful professional career while remaining in their hometown communities.”
Pagliughi also has provided additional job shadowing and work-based learning opportunities, as well as paid internships to Law Enforcement and Public Safety students. Furthermore, he has helped arrange guest speakers to share their various professional paths and experiences with students. His efforts have helped with students’ training and career exploration. Some students have even pursued and secured permanent employment with the county.
“Marty Pagliughi has been instrumental in the growth and overall success of our Law and Public Safety program here at Cape May Tech,” said Superintendent Jamie Moscony. “He and his team at the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) help expand opportunities for students to participate in various law and public safety events as well as training opportunities. In addition, the OEM also provides opportunities for students to learn first-hand the critical thinking skills necessary for employment in emergency management.”
