My name is Heidi Brierley and I am a Grade 12 student at St. Joseph’s High School. One of the mandatory classes in high school is careers. In this class we learn about different careers and what we should look to as a career. Firefighting has always been a thought. Then we took a career test and that was one of the top answers. I did my ISU on firefighting and ever since then this is where I want to go. I would like the opportunity to CO-OP at the fire station during my second semester of grade 12 so I can get a feel for what I am getting myself into.

Last year when students got the CO-OP interviews the teacher told me that it would be a challenge to CO-OP at the fire station in the morning and make it back to school in time for my third period class. So I took it upon myself to make that not a problem, by taking a spare during third period so I will not miss anything. Also I was able to complete my grade 12 chemistry, which is a course needed to get in to college for firefighting. After high school, I would like to attend Lambton College for their firefighting course. Having all the needed credits and on top of the CO-OP at a fire station would help me out a lot.

Although I am only a 17 year old girl I am very strong physically and mentally. I have played soccer for over 10 years and the last 3 years were competitive which include working out year around. I was very dedicated to soccer and I am now working out on my own. I have had a part time joy for over two years now at A&P in the bakery department. Although working in a bakery and firefighting do not have much in common, it does help me to learn how to deal with the public.

I know that being a firefighter is not an easy job. I am willing to work as hard as I can to make it work. Things are not always easy and I know this through my own life and family experiences. So I would like to be there to help others when it is their time of need.

I am aware that I would be doing many different jobs if I were to be accepted into this CO-OP position. I am willing to do what is needed from me. I feel that I could benefit a lot from this opportunity and also I feel strongly that with my positive attitude will offer a lot to the program. I am a people person and I get easily along with anyone. I learn quickly and listen well to instructions. I always put ours before me. At school I am on Student Council and in a few other groups in my school. This shows I like getting involved and I will help when and where I am needed.

To Be A Firefighter

I have spent the last few years listening to my peers wonder and worry about what they wanted to do with their lives. I have not had to deal with this problem because I have always known that I wanted to be a firefighter. I think of myself as a caring person and I have always wanted to help others. I thoroughly enjoy working and interacting with others. I am active and a physically fit person that loves to do physical work. I get my unstoppable work ethic from my mother. I know that I would make a great firefighter because of my drive for excellence, my outstanding people skills and my passion about saving people.

The word drive means a lot to me because I take pride in my own drive. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be the best I could. No matter what it is I am doing from the smallest tasks to the biggest challenges I have wanted to succeed. I have been a part of two separate Championship football teams, one of which I was the Captain. After many months of training and hard work I placed 9th at the Ontario Track &Field Championship in Javelin. I have been a proud member of the Windsor Optimist Band for the last eight years. I worked my way up from the front banner to now leading the percussion section. Having been involved with football and the marching band for more than half of my life, I have learned to appreciate the value of being on a team. I will one day be a firefighter and I am prepared to make the sacrifices and do the work to get there.

I want to be a firefighter for many reasons but some reasons are more important than others. I have always been patriotic and I feel that the respect, honor, self-sacrifice, and responsibility that comes with being a firefighter represents exactly who I want to be. When my friends ask what I want to be I tell them a firefighter and the reaction I get is a mixture of “wow is he crazy?” to “I wish I were that brave” and “thank you”. That is why I want to be a firefighter when I grow up because I want to run into that burning building when everyone else is running out. I plan on becoming a father in the future and the hours that are required of a firefighter would allow me to spend time with my family. I want my children to be proud of their father and to know that he puts his own life on the line to save others.

I feel like I will be an excellent firefighter because of my passion for saving people, my people skills, and my drive for success. I believe that I should be chosen because I am prepared to do the work and put in the time to become the best that I can be. I do not accept failure from myself and I persevere until I am satisfied with the job that I have done. For me this is the first step of many towards the life I want to one day live. If I am accepted for this position I will dedicate myself to completing all that is asked lf me, and doing it all with a smile on my face.

Why I Want to Be a Firefighter and Why I Should Be Chosen

A firefighter is a person who likes a physical challenge, the satisfaction of helping people in need, and possibly even having the thrill of a dangerous situation that can life risking. Unlike most other careers, a firefighter is a person who risks his or her life every day to save the lives of others, running and out of burning buildings and making a difference in this world. Firefighters have inspired me as a person because they save and change lives. I’ve wanted to be a firefighter ever since I was little, due to the heroic actions that take as human beings.

Running in and out of a burning building is a matter of life and death. Most people’s first reaction to a burning building, and the sign of smoke, is to run quickly and get out as fast as they possibly can. A firefighter is a person who runs into the burning building to save lives and quell the blaze. This type of occupation is the one I have found most suitable to my abilities. I believe I have the qualifications and physical capabilities to become a successful firefighter. This is because I have a lot of work experience and I am used to obtaining a large amount of responsibility in my job as a shift manager at Harvey’s. A firefighter is a highly trained individual that must respond to the emergency scene on a moment’s notice. I feel I have the qualifications for this responsibility.

Ever since I was 13 years old I have found physical training a successful and easy ability that I have obtained. I realized I have the correct body structure for a firefighter, as well as have confidence in my ability to complete all tasks at hand to become a firefighter. Muscular strength and muscular endurance have been training work outs I have successfully taken part in of since I was 13. Working out is a very important part of the firefighter physical structure... being physically strong enough for matters that can become life saving.

Firefighters must have muscular strength but must also be in good physical shape since they often have to run and jog for long distances of time. I run daily, and run on a treadmill at Good Life Fitness. Firefighters must be prepared at all time for an emergency. A Firefighter must have the physical strength and cardio, to follow through with some of the most dangerous situations. I believe I meet all of these categories, and requirements in muscular strength, physically fitness, and stamina to run into a burning building to save another human beings life.

Not only does a firefighter applicant complete a physical strength test, but they must also obtain mental strength, having the courage to be a heroic person to risk your own life, to save another. One thing that would put a smile on my face, would be going home and realizing I have made a difference in the world that “I” saved another human beings life. This is the kind of thing that would make me love my job. I believe I have what it takes to be a firefighter, because I have the mental strength to complete of what is necessary. A firefighter must work best with not only himself, but as a team. Firefighters work together in teams, and create certain jobs for each. I know that, I am a good team player, because I play for Herman football and football is a team sport. Not one player is more important than another, exactly as a fire team would be. Everyone participates in a different part to get the job done, and to get it done right. This is exactly how I see a fire fighter... a team effort to save lives, and make changes in the world.

I see fire fighting as a physical job that involves saving people’s lives, but it also involves teaching others to prevent fires. To my understanding I realize for half my placement I will be in the Safety Village helping others prevent fires. I believe that this would be a good experience for me to learn more about fire safety as well as having the positive attitude to help children. This is something I would enjoy doing as a benefit to myself and the children. This would give me experience to have fire prevention knowledge as well as teaching knowledge towards little kids.

Overall I see myself as a hard working individual that really organizes my time very well. I work hard of what I achieve, and I am very dedicated to my work. I currently have a part time job at Harvey’s that I have had for 6 months, (becoming shift manager was a goal I reached for myself). I believe that with this work experience combined with earning the experience from the Co-op at Windsor Fire and Rescue and Safety Village, would make me an excellent candidate for my future occupation as a firefighter. I will have what I need to enter this program. It has always been my passion to become a firefighter, and really feel that I am the absolutely best candidate for this co-op position.
- Thank you

I am applying for a position with Windsor Fire and Rescue Services in the co-op program. I am a very dedicated worker and when I commit to something I am always ready to give one hundred percent of my effort. I have played competitive sports such as soccer and hockey, and throughout the years on those teams I never missed a practice or game. I consider myself a team player and I work very well with others.

When I played travel sports I was always eager to give my best, and coaches found me easy to work with and good at following directions. I enjoy helping people when I am called upon to do so or when I see that there is a need. I am in good physical condition and intend to always stay fit, healthy and active. I weight train everyday to keep my muscles strong and try to eat nutritious foods.

Since the age of five I have been taking classical guitar lessons and I still continue to study and practice my music. I have participated in the Kiwanis Music Festival and have achieved my grade six Royal Conservatory exam level. I have been involved with school bands and am currently part of an alternative rock band. This has given me the skills to collaborate and cooperate with my peers. We write our own songs and this has provided me with a creative outlet to express myself. I have performed many times in front of large audience and feel that I work well under pressure. I feel that I am able to take charge of situations and remain calm and collected during times of physical and emotional stress.

I enjoyed physical education classes in grade nine and am looking forward to the leadership class in grade eleven. I feel my strengths in school are math, English and history. I also do well in the technical filed such as construction and woodworking. I believe there is much left for me to accomplish and I am working towards reaching my full potential. I am able to meet project deadlines and work in a group to achieve a common goal. My future goal is to participate in a career that incorporates my athletic ability with my desire to be of service to the community. That is why I am very interested in the profession of fire and rescue.

Firefighting is a noble profession and dates back many centuries. Firefighters are one of the few heroes left today. To have a career in firefighting would be personally rewarding. Whether it is rescuing people from a burning building, caring for their medical needs, or extinguishing fires, this profession is all about helping others. Fire and rescue would be a profession that I would be proud and honoured to be a part of. The co-operative education experience would allow me to become familiar with all aspects of firefighting. It would help me understand the process and the training needed to become an efficient and effective firefighter.

I understand this is a very competitive field but I am willing to put my heart and soul into attaining this goal. I hope you will consider me for the fire and rescue co-op position, so that I may begin the journey.

The tones come in. Everyone is all ears as they listen if their truck is about to respond. Now it’s a twenty second countdown before the big red engine is about to leave. The firefighters slide down the pole, and scramble to get all their equipment on. Boots, coats, helmet and mask. The bay doors open, the engine is purring. The lights are flashing and the siren is screaming. The cars have paused, and the road is clear. It’s time to leave so get out of the way, a person still needs at least one more day.

What I have just described is a job that is like no other. A job where money is worthless. A job that rewards you through knowing that you made a difference in the community. What I am applying for today is just that.

Being a firefighter has been a lifelong dream of mine. When you have a dad who is a firefighter, you start to build a passion for it. It becomes a part of your life. I made my first visit to the fire hall when I was six months old. And to this day, I never left. I want to be a firefighter because I want to give back to the community, and help others. I like to take charge of situations and be a leader. I want to have a sense of satisfaction knowing that I made a difference in the world.

I feel that co-op will give me a sense of insight to this amazing career. It will also give me some experience in firefighting.
Windsor Fire and Rescue needs someone who is reliable, responsible, mature, kind, and a team player. I have demonstrated these skills by volunteering a number of different ways. For example, I completed my 40 hours of community service eight months into high school. I volunteer weekly at my church parish, and referee grade school basketball games.

This year I also plan on volunteering for Sparky’s Toy Drive. I am currently trying to be a member of student council, and some sports teams. I played soccer a few years back, and learned some valuable skills such as teamwork, determination, and goal setting. I am CPR certified, and currently taking part in First Aid classes. Once completed, I will be a certified first responder at my parish. I also have a part time job, and in the summer I work full time. I have been called hard working, responsible, reliable, punctual, and dedicated by my employers. To me it’s a feeling that means a lot, knowing you earned all these wonderful compliments.

In grade nine, I shadowed my dad at Windsor Fire and Rescue headquarters. That was quite a day. When the tones came in, I experienced so much adrenaline that all the roller coasters I had ever been on felt like toys. I got to partake not only in ride outs, but the full life of a firefighter; everything from cleaning toilets and educating the public on fire safety, to sliding down the pole and riding Engine One to numerous calls. When responding to one call, I even got ready quicker than my dad. I knew it was time to replace the Miller name in the fire department. When leaving the station that night I knew I would be back one day.

Well today is that day. Today is the day that I carry on the family name. And I can guarantee you, I’ll do a great job of it!

I Trevor Ravanello believe that I would become a great firefighter. I have grown up around it, since I have many family and friends in the department. I have been to the stations and been around the environment many times and I enjoy it very much. I have always looked into the future thinking of what I wanted to be, and I always thought of myself as being a great firefighter and fell in love the idea of becoming one. I always wanted to help people as a child and everyone told me I should become a police officer but I never thought I would suit a police officer. However, when it came to firefighting I could always see myself as one.

In the past year I have been pushing myself to exceed people’s expectations of what I could become. People always said my weight would hold me back. But over the summer I made it my goal to get fit. I’ve been working out at Lifestyles about 5 days a week. Now that I’m healthier, I believe I could achieve my goal of becoming a firefighter more than I ever could have.

Now that I have the option of doing a Co-op with Windsor Fire and Rescue Services I was thrilled. I believe this can give me the perfect opportunity to see if becoming a firefighter is truly my calling. My plan is to join the Reserves a year after high school and then I will eventually take Law and Security and then apply for a firefighting program at a college. Therefore, in the end, I believe this Co-op would really help me with my future career plans.