Our 2008-09 Co-op Students

Daniel Colella

My name is Daniel Colella and I am a grade twelve student at Holy Names High School. It would be an honour to be considered to be a Co-op student for the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. I would like to become a firefighter in the future and I feel that completing a co-op placement with you would be an excellent opportunity to ensure that this is what I truly want to do for the rest of my life. I want to become a firefighter because I feel that I possess many traits which will benefit me in this occupation and will help me to be successful. I enjoy looking out for others and making sure everything and everyone in our community is safe. I get along well with others and I treat everybody the way I would like to be treated, with respect and dignity. I frequently assist my neighbours in times of need, i.e. shovelling snow for my elderly neighbour. I am easy going and patient and I like working with people.

There are many responsibilities that a firefighter must deal with daily. You must be physically fit, dedicated and be able to react quickly to any type of situation. I am responsible, reliable, caring and dedicated. I work part time at Zehrs while going to school and I deal with many different personalities in the customers that I serve. This has taught me to be understanding of others and to be patient which firefighters must be. I am also involved in travel sports and school sports teams. This has taught me the importance of being a team player which is a necessity for a firefighter. I can manage my time well while balancing all these activities. My attendance record at school is good which demonstrates my dedication. I am also very physically fit. My participation in sports helps me maintain a very good stamina level. I have already completed over forty hours of community service volunteering and I plan to continue to help the community. I wish to keep protecting others as my life goes on, and one day protect and look out for others as my occupation.

People look up to firefighters and look at them as heroes and I strongly agree with them. Not only do they put out fires, but they also save many lives. I want to make a difference in the world some day by saving people’s lives. You can rely on me because I will never be late nor let you down. I carry a lot of heart; therefore I am willing to do whatever it takes.

Finally, I would like to thank you for considering me to Co-op with Windsor Fire and Rescue. I feel this would be a good start for me, and some day I hope to be helping and serving the community.

Darcy St. Louis

My name is Darcy St. Louis and I am 16 years of age. I am presently a student at Assumption College H.S. studying in grade 11.

I am a team worker, get along well with others and I am totally committed to excellence in the work force.

I am extremely excited about this placement position as I have always dreamed of becoming a Firefighter/Rescue Worker. Members of my family have been with the Fire/Rescue Services for many years and I would love to follow in their footsteps.

My feeling is that Fire & Rescue Work is the most respectable job as these men and women put their lives on the line daily to save people they don’t even know. That is a very selfless act to say the least. I have heard my Grandfather and Great Uncle speak of how fulfilling their job was and I have always admired them from a very young age.

The camaraderie between the other Fire & Rescue Workers amazes me... they always look out for one another.

In the near future, I will be attending three courses: WHMIS, CPR as well as First Aid to prepare me for future endeavours.

I believe I am the perfect candidate for this placement as I am enthusiastic, eager to learn, totally reliable and punctual. I have held down a job now for just over two years and have never had any problems in my current workplace.

I thank you for considering my application and am anxiously looking forward to meeting with you in person.

Dustin Girard

Working with the firefighters has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I am very eager to learn more about the duties and how the tasks are completed by the firemen. Being able to have this opportunity to work side by side with these wonderful people is an experience I cannot pass up. I have many skills that will benefit me in my journey to becoming a firefighter.

I am a very hard worker, and I am able to work very well under pressure. I am the type of person that will not be easily distracted. Working as a firefighter is a very strenuous on the mind and body, and I know that I will be capable of withstanding the stress. I am a very quick learner, and I am always eager to educate myself further.
I have been to four high schools, and I have been able to adapt very well to each one. I am able to adapt very well to all of my surroundings. Being a firefighter means that you will have to deal with all different cultures in our community. I love meeting new people and expanding my knowledge on the different cultures in our society.

Firefighters must be physically fit, and team players. I have played on my high school football team, played house league beach volleyball, and been on a paint ball team. I currently have a gym membership which I regularly attend.

I have already had some past experience working with firefighters. I lived in Halifax for one year, and I was fortunate enough to work as a volunteer firefighter at Station 42. The experience that I received from working with their firefighters has made my determination of pursuing my career as a firefighter even greater.

In conclusion, I believe that I would be the perfect candidate for this position due to me skills and past experiences in this position. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with our community’s firefighters and thank you for considering my application.

Dylan Reynolds

I would like to be considered in your fire fighter co-op program. I think I am a great definition of the perfect candidate for this program because I am very physically fit and love helping others out which goes well with the village too. I have been a babysitter for my cousins since I was 14 so I love working with little kids. I want to follow through with being a firefighter as a profession for many reasons. Being a firefighter has a meaning it’s a job that is challenging and has a extreme demand on putting others lives in your hands and I’ve always been willing to help others even if it risks me. Firefighting has always been an interest to me ever since I was a little boy because my grandpa was a firefighter and I used to always were his hard hat and pretend I was a firefighter. I think you should pick me because I will be a mentor to the little kids in the village and will make many friends with the little boys and girls. I will also fit the firefighting program because I am willing to do any task when asked and help out as much as I can. You will be happy with my performance at the end of our co-op program and I think I will exceed any of your first impression expectations. Also I’m all about safety so I support a safe working place like the fire department provides and all the people seem nice even when I went to go pick up my form for my police clearance everyone was saying hi and smiling and that’s what I love also in a job. Firefighting is a demanding job that requires 100% attendance and to be on time everyday which I can also provide because I have a car that I will be driving to co-op every morning. The interview was amazing and every one of you seem like amazing people to work with. Thank you for reviewing my essay and I hope we can see each other soon in your wonderful co-op program.

Joshua Easby

The bell rings. Hearts and minds pause to hear what dangers lie ahead. Down the pole they go, adrenaline pumping and eyes just fixed on a common goal; to save a life. They never know what will be on the other side of that phone call, but they still lay their lives on the line regardless. Off they go. Sirens blaring, red lights flashing and a big truck racing down the street: every kid and adult alike stop for a quick second to get a glimpse of these everyday superheroes. Being a firefighter has been a lifelong dream of mine and I am still keeping that dream alive today. I have a lot of passion for this career and I will satop at nothing to achieve this goal. As I have gotten older, this lifelong dream of mine has only gotten stronger and more meaningful to me. My father is a Windsor Firefighter. Growing up I was always around a fire station. Almost every shift he worked I was there talking with him and just being surrounded by these great men and women of the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. Having my father as well as my uncle in the Fire Department has only strengthened my desire for this career. Firefighting is in my blood. It is what I am here to do. I am here to service my community as well as follow in my father’s footsteps.

In the past two years of High School, I have completed 100 out of the required 40 community service hours for the OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). I completed the required 40 hours only months into high school. I believe strongly in helping my community as much as I can. To date I have done Audio Visual work at my parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, I have been a teen leader for the parish youth group, I have also been a teen leader for young adults who are wishing to be confirmed, I have assisted in the twenty-ninth annual John Smith Memorial Run, and the Build for George Project. I have also partaken in some sports teams. I played soccer and basketball a few years back which taught me valuable skills. I have worked with a local company and continue to do so and have been called hard working, dedicated and reliable by my employer which are important qualities. I also plan on taking a CPR course and a First Aid class to become a first responder at my parish.

This co-op position interests me because I would like to gain valuable knowledge into a dream career of mine. This would give me firsthand understanding of my career choice. I would also like to co-op at the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services because I would like to make connections with other firefighters and find out what the recruitment process was like in hopes of gaining knowledge into my recruitment process. I believe that I should be selected for placement at Windsor Fire and Rescue Services because I am a hard worker, I am a team player, I am able to listen to everyone’s opinions on matters before I make a decision, I have leadership qualities and I am punctual, reliable and respectful which are traits of a successful firefighter.

Overall, being selected to co-op with Windsor Fire & Rescue Services would be a dream come true for me. I can assure you that I will bring a deep passion for this career along with a positive attitude and be ready to conquer any challenge that it may bring. Firefighting has always been a part of my life and it is almost second nature to me. When I spent the day of Take Your Kid to Work Day at the fire hall with my father, it was the best day of my life. I could not get enough of it and when the day was done I wanted to do it again. When I left the station that night, I knew I would be back one day. I would lastly like to thank Windsor Fire and Rescue Services for considering my Co-operative Education application and I hope to see you in the future as a member of this elite co-op program. This is an opportunity to follow my father’s lead. I can assure you that I will put forth all I have.

Katie Murphy

My name is Katie Murphy. I am 17 years old and am currently in grade 12 at Holy Names High School. Fire Fighting has been a career that I’ve always wanted to be a part of. I feel that I have well developed traits to offer such as my confidence, being healthy and active, courageous and committed.

I sure confidence and commitment is a major part of this position because you cannot be asked to complete a task and finish it to the best of your ability if you have no confidence. I assure you that I will complete every task and enter it with confidence and commitment.

I play hockey for Holy Names and for the Windsor Wildcats and I am also involved in track and field for Holy Names and Windsor Legion. I am a strong and healthy team player. Being healthy and physically fit is a must in any situation dealing with Fire Fighting.

I am very decisive. I make quick decisions keeping the safety of myself and others in mind. I’m not afraid to try new things, stand up in front of a crowd, stand up for myself and others. Also take action when others are in need of help.

I am confident, with these traits and I can promise to deliver a satisfying semester. I can show commitment and courage. I look forward to proving to you that I am the correct eager candidate for this position.

Murdock Mallen

It all started at birth, my uncle is a firefighter and his name is also Murdock. When I was little he told me of the stories, traumas, sadness and fear that is involved with the job of being a firefighter. As I grew up, there was this constant instilment of one day becoming a fire fighter too. Eventually, I decided to make the decision of entering the F.J. Brennan Co-op program and applied to Windsor Fire and Rescue Services to help get my foot in the door for my future career.

My uncle told me that as a firemen he had a lot of responsibilities, not only to himself and his family at home, but also to all of the people in the city of Windsor that he vowed to help. I feel that being a firefighter is not just a job or a profession, but a way of life. I want to devote my life to helping people as well.

I am hard working and devoted to any task that I set my mind to. I recently helped organize a Riverside Volleyball Tournament. As well, I assist my dad with coaching my sister’s broomball games. Both of these activities were volunteer positions, but they taught me the importance of leadership, organization and teamwork.

I also have two jobs, and I feel that I represent both with honesty and with devotion.

If I am chosen to be a member of the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services Co-op program I will perform duties with great enthusiasm, and I will maintain and demonstrate the values that F.J. Brennan Catholic High School has shown me through my years of attending this school. I will show the caritas spirit which means caring, kindness and thoughtfulness to all.