Mike is a lifelong Winslow Township resident and resides in the Waterford Works section with his wife and three children.  His fire service career began as a volunteer firefighter with the Cedar Brook Fire Company, in December of 1982..  He was hired by the Ancora State Hospital Fire Department as an Assistant Fire Chief in 1987 and served there until appointed by the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders as a full-time Assistant Fire Marshal in 1990.

 During his tenure with Camden County, Michael found his mark in the Code Enforcement, eventually becoming Unit Supervisor.  In addition to inspection duties, he conducted Fire Investigations, and worked at the Camden County Fire Academy where he developed, coordinated, and delivered several Firefighter and Technical Rescue Courses.  He continues teaching to there to this day.

 His abilities attracted the interest of members of the Governor’s Master Fire Service Planning Council, and in October of 1997, Michael was asked to help create, train , and deploy New Jersey’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One  (NJ-TF-1).  Michael served on the team in various positions including Rescue Specialist, County Rescue Manager, and Region III Task Force Leader.

 In 2002 he was recruited to the Winslow Township Fire District where he was appointed as the Department’s first employee, Fire Marshal, charged with creating a Fire Prevention Division.  In addition to supervising the Fire Prevention Division, Mike prepared several grants securing over one-half million dollars  of firefighter safety and protective equipment.  In February 2006 Mike served as Acting Chief of Department, until appointed Deputy Chief in August, during which he was responsible for hiring and training the Department’s first group of career firefighters.

 Chief Scardino continues his commitment to teaching new firefighters and officers today.  He is an adjunct professor of Fire Science at Camden County College, delivers programs for Kean University throughout the State of New Jersey, and is a NJ certified Police Instructor at the Camden County Police Academy.   Subjects cover a wide array of topics including Rope Rescue, Fire Investigation, Fire Chemistry & Behavior, Confined Space Rescue, Structural Collapse Rescue, and Fire Officer Development.  Mike has lectured extensively throughout the tri-state area and specializes in Building Construction.   Known for his dynamic, and animated style, sprinkled with humor, Chief Scardino is passionate about Firefighter Safety, and echoes the phrase made famous by the late Francis Brannigan, author of Building Construction for the Fire Service “the building is the enemy—know your enemy”.

 Mike also serves:

 When off duty, Chief Scardino enjoys serving the Lord with his family through his church, trap shooting, fishing, and reading.