By Ethan Sirles
Kyle Januska, ’24, is dedicating his summer to safeguarding some of America’s most iconic landscapes. After interning with the National Park Service (NPS) last year in Boise, Idaho, he’s now immersed in preserving historic buildings across Florida’s national parks—Everglades, Dry Tortugas, Big Cypress and Biscayne.
“I’m writing a report providing fire protection safety recommendations for Fort Jefferson, which is part of Dry Tortugas National Park,” he said. “I look at the current fire protection systems and recommend ways to protect the building and its visitors.”
Januska’s recommendations have the potential to secure these landmarks for future generations. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in May with a degree in fire, arson and explosion investigation, a passion ignited during his high school years.
Originally from Bolingbrook, Illinois, Januska started taking fire science classes in his junior year of high school, eventually earning an associate degree in fire science technology before transferring to EKU.
During the spring 2023 semester, the NPS visited EKU students to discuss internships within the service.
“Just getting to talk with the internship coordinator and learn more about the opportunities, not only with the internship but then how it can progress your career—it was really just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Januska.
Reflecting on his career path, Januska credits EKU’s diverse fire science curriculum and student work opportunities for preparing him for his impactful internship.
“I majored in investigation, but my internship is more focused on fire protection, so getting the different classes at EKU about fire protection as a whole has been really helpful,” he said.
As Januska looks ahead, he remains open to future opportunities, knowing that his experiences this summer will shape his professional journey. His story highlights the intersection of education, passion and conservation, making him a testament to the transformative power of hands-on learning in fire science.
EKU’s fire and safety programs include bachelor’s degrees and minors in Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation; Fire Protection Administration; and Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology—allowing students to gain a broad understanding of fire science while choosing the area of specialization that best fits their goals. EKU is home to one of only three ABET-accredited fire programs and is ranked in the 25 Best Online Fire Science Degrees and the 10 Most Affordable Fire Science Degree Bachelor Programs by Bachelors Degree Center.