Co-op Students - 2nd Semester (February 2009)

Growing up, my cousin Jim Pallero, a paramedic-firefighter, has been my source of inspiration. On August 2, 2005, he was on call at Pearson Airport prior to the devastating crash of Air France. On that day, he and his crew members were the first on scene, they battled fires and assisted children, women and men out of the plane. At times when there was no chance for the men and women aboard Air France, my cousin and his firefighting crew were there. They gave them hope that they would make it through this tragic accident.

Firefighting is a career that requires: dedication, leadership, courage, perseverance, willingness to help others, self-sacrifice, and in many situations compassion. Firefighting is a suitable career choice for me because, each day is different and anything could happen; that’s what I like most. Each time you’re on call, you will be waiting anxiously for the bells to go off. You could be eating, relaxing, talking amongst your fellow firefighter brethren. Then the bells go off. Quickly you must snap out of what you are doing. Adrenaline starts to rush through your veins. You put on your gear, and roll out of the station sirens roaring, preparing for what awaits you. Throughout my life, I have desired to help people when they need it most. I quote previous F.D.N.Y. Commissioner William M. Feehan, “The whole reason this department exists is to serve the people. The thing that sets the firefighter apart is that he or she, who when the bell sounds, must go into harms way to do whatever’s necessary to help the person who called them. I don‘t think you can pay someone to do that job. There has to be something beyond money that makes them do that.”

Being a professional firefighter, you must always strive to be a leader. Throughout my grade twelve year, I believe I have demonstrated the skills of an exceptional leader. In my own family, I am one of the few older cousins to many other smaller cousins. I have naturally taken on the role of a leader that they look up to. I have always strived to be the good example that my little cousins need, always telling them to do their best in school, to be involved in sports, show respect towards others, and to make good decisions.

Currently, I am a fifth year student at St. Anne High School, I have already met my forty hours of community service and have obtained my Ontario Secondary School Diploma. I am a proud active volunteer for St. John Ambulance Windsor-Essex Brigade.

I currently hold an up to date CPR/Standard First Aid certificate. Through St. John Ambulance, I will be taking part in an Advanced Medical First Responder course that will certify me to administer oxygen to patients and to use a defibrillator. I am also a volunteer at my parish in Tecumseh. I assist the teacher during Children’s Church and I help supervise the children during craft-making.

I feel that I am a good candidate for this cooperative education placement. I am a hard worker, enthusiastic, organized, reliable, honest, responsible, dedicated, and able to accept challenges and complete them successfully. I can learn through the Firefighting staff what will be expected of me in the future as a firefighter, and I will be able to witness them helping others. It is an honour and a privilege to assist Windsor’s bravest men and women. I thank you for considering my application to provide that assistance.
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To me, a firefighter is a figure in the city that everyone knows, no matter who you are and is looked up to at all times. They are always in the spotlight. Everytime you hear the blaring sirens, or see the flashing lights, you know that another bunch of brave firefighters are going to risk their lives to try to save someone else’s. Firefighters are recognized as being heroes in the city, and are always well respected as they hold great responsibility.

I want to become a firefighter because it is something that I have been interested in pursuing since I started high school. I want to have the type of job where I will be able to serve the public and contribute to the greater good of the community. By getting the chance to have a first hand look into what exactly happens at a firehouse, I believe it will help me make my decision more absolute about whether I wish to follow this profession.

Becoming a firefighter takes a lot of responsibility, bravery, and courage and I believe that I have what it takes to do anything asked of me or even more. I know I will be able to handle a working atmosphere because I have had a job for a little over three years now. I’ve gotten used to the pressures and expectations of working. Jobs can be very enjoyable if you like them and care about what you are doing. By getting this opportunity it would be a dream come true, doing something I like, not just something to make money.

Throughout my live I have dedicated my time to many different organizations such as my local church, helping coach younger soccer teams, the Tecumseh Corn Festival, and just recently I helped out with Windsor-Essex County Crime Stoppers. I completed my compulsory volunteer hours for the OSSD in my Freshman year of high school. I have grown up playing sports all my life such as soccer, football, and track. I work out at the gym, so I know I am at peak physical fitness for this job. Since I have played sports all my life I have learned that working tighter as a team, trusting your teammates and having the reassurance from your friends makes everything a lot easier. Not just in playing sports, but also at a job like this, you would need the same kind of commitment and encouragement as a team would have.

Furthermore, I believe that acceptance into this co-op placement to Windsor Fire & Rescue Services will show that I have more experience, insight and knowledge about the requirements of being a firefighter than the average college applicant. I believe this opportunity for a co-op placement will give me the upper hand on getting accepted in to college.

Finally, I would just like to take the time to thank you for considering my application. I truly believe that becoming a firefighter is something I want to achieve and this co-op would be a great start to achieving that dream.
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I was inspired to become a firefighter at an early age thanks to my previous neighbor Ryan Peltier, who is currently a Windsor firefighter. He has given me a lot of insight as to what it takes to become a firefighter. It is clear that there is much risk involved in this profession, but at the same time it is a much respected job.

In order to become a firefighter there are several things to be considered. One of the main features I would think for a firefighter that is important is being dedicated. Over the years of playing on all different types of sports teams, I would consider myself a very dedicated individual when it comes to things I am striving to succeed at. I find that to achieve a goal, or to become one of the best, it takes much dedication, and I believe I have what it takes.

Another important aspect of being a well rounded firefighter would be to be punctual. During the past three years, I have worked at Charly’s batting cages, as well as Fahrhall heating and cooling. I did not miss a day over the duration of my employment and was always on time for my shifts. These two jobs helped me to become punctual and to develop interpersonal skills when it comes to helping people in the community.

I am the oldest of five brothers and sisters. Over the years I have had to assist my parents in many ways. Whether it was cleaning up after them or watching over them while no one else was home, it has most certainly benefited me for the best, I have become more responsible from having these duties through the years.

I believe I have acquired many characteristics that would help me pursue firefighting as a career. All of these experiences and accomplishments come with lots of hard work, and I am a very hard working individual who will strive to succeed. I intend to further my education by applying to St. Clair College to eventually become a firefighter.

If I am given a co-op position it would without a doubt teach me much more of what it really takes to realize my goal of becoming a firefighter. In closing I think that I will have a lot of satisfaction realizing that I will have the opportunity of saving someone's life.
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Alexander Craig-Paul
Being a firefighter has always been in my mind as a great job. I would love for it to be my occupation when I grow up. I know that I am meant to be a person of action. The requirements are top of the line and the competition is tough, but I know that I have all of the qualities of being a great firefighter. Being a firefighter takes Determination, Discipline, and Leadership. I have all of these traits; it shows on my resume and in my everyday life. A firefighter is there for the people when they need help to get out of a building that is on fire or similar situations. Being there for people is part of my everyday life. Whether if it’s an emotional problem or a physical problem, I am the guy that all my friends call when they need help.

When it comes to determination, a lot of people tend to crumble at the first site of any hardship. Without determination a firefighter would not be able to handle even coming close to a fire let alone breaking through walls and risking their own life to save another. Although I’m only a teenager and I haven’t been in any life threatening situations, I do have determination in competitive sports. I’ve played 3 years of high school football, 2 years inning awards (Most Improved Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player of the Year). I’ve played baseball my whole life, last year making all-city and MVP of Massey baseball as well as being captain. I lead my travel baseball team to State Championships, Ontario Championships, and beating some of the best teams in the country. This year I am also planning on improving our team’s record. Although I don’t throw the hardest on the team, I show determination to keep my team’s record of last season to 52-10-1.

A great firefighter knows when to hold back on his emotions and have some Discipline. If a firefighter were to use his emotions instead of his discipline and training he/she could harm the person that is trapped, themselves, or both. But if the firefighter were to stay cool and relaxed about the situation, they would rescue the individual with no problems and with little to no harm taken. It’s the same in everyday life. Discipline is a big thing when it comes to difficult situations because emotions can and will get in the way. As a pitcher for my team I’ve had my own team mates make errors and I could get upset but I know that would bring down myself and my team. It’s best to suck things up and just do what you have to do.

A firefighter should always show leadership whether they are a firefighter or the Chief fire officer. When a firefighter is put in a situation where they have to make a split-second decision, it takes leadership to make the right choice. As Captain of my Baseball team, and looked up to as a football player, I had to make some choices that I didn’t want to but it was best for our team to be successful. This past year I had to give up playing football so that I could pursue my baseball as well as school. It was one of the hardest decisions I have made but it will benefit me in the long run. Although the choices that a leader needs to make are difficult, someone still needs to make the choices for someone’s or everyone’s benefit.

A firefighter is one of the modern heroes the world has. I strive to be a firefighter because of the qualities that they require. I appreciate what they do for society, and I want to become one of them because it’s a passion that I want to pursue, and I just want to help people in need. I am more than willing to show you that I have all of these traits to be a firefighter.

For these reasons I believe that I am a great candidate for the few spots open in this High School Firefighting Co-Op.
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Emily Ferris
The responsibilities of today’s firefighter extends well beyond the job title. Fire fighters have a great deal of responsibility and many duties. These duties can include search and rescue, fire suppression, salvage operations, fire code inspections, hydrant flow testing, and community presentation, etc. I am a very ambitious person and a career in fire fighting would allow me the opportunity to be involved in many of these services.

I am physically fit and I would be able to respond to the physical demands of a fire fighter. I have been involved in sports and other activities for many years. I am involved in competitive swimming and soccer. I swim 16 hours a week with Windsor Essex Swim Team and I also play on three different soccer teams, Belle River Celtics, L’Essor Senior Team and Belle River Minor Soccer Association. Fire fighting is a physically demanding occupation. I am very confident that I would be able to not only respond to the physical demands but equally respond to all of the other required responsibilities.

I see fire fighters as team members working as a unit to successfully complete important and even dangerous tasks. Understanding that a fire fighters job may sometimes be dangerous I believe my ability to think quickly and react with confidence would be a benefit in order to protect my safety and the safety of others.

Working in a team environment is not new to me as I have been a member of numerous sporting teams and other activity groups. I realize that as a fire fighter, there would be many people who depend on me and that my ability to act under pressure and complete my duties safely and effectively. I would welcome the challenges that being a fire fighter would bring and the satisfaction that I would realize knowing I could help someone and possibly make a difference in their life.

I believe that a placement as a cooperative education student with Windsor Fire and Rescue would give me an opportunity to make a positive impact at Windsor Fire and Rescue as well as serving to reinforce my dream of becoming a fire fighter.
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Brad Mio
I have a sincere desire and am strongly motivated to pursue a career as a firefighter. In the essay that follows I will tell why I can be successful in achieving this goal.

Throughout my life I have been active in sports such as hockey and volleyball. My roles have included assistant captain, captain and team player. I’m willing to take whatever role is necessary to complete any task successfully. Being named captain of the Massey Volleyball Team last year has made me realize the importance of being a leader and a team motivator. It has also raised my level of confidence in my leadership skills.

I would really enjoy being a part of a group that helps the well being of the community through volunteer efforts and charity events. I believe that I have characteristics such as physical endurance, leadership, and cooperating well with others that would make me a good candidate for firefighting. I want to do something worthwhile in my life to earn respect and honour from my family and friends. Family values have taught me that everyone is worthy of the highest level of protection and emergency services. My Grandmother, who is a retired nurse, and my father’s Uncle Del, who is a retired fire chief in Waterloo, reinforced these values and have helped to motivate me in pursuing my goal.

I realize that the firefighting and rescue services is a very competitive field and I am determined to achieve all the necessary qualifications required to continue to pursue my goal of becoming a firefighter. By participating in the co-op program I hope to enhance my skills and knowledge and reinforce my desire to become a respected firefighter. I look forward to accepting the challenge of meeting the requirements that are essential for this career.
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Matt Moore
Ever since I can remember, I have admired the firefighters who put their life on the line on a daily basis. I think that it takes a proud and noble person to take on a career such as this.
Firefighters seem to have a sense of pride in their work, which is very important to me. I am an extremely active person and could not see myself working at a job that is boring. I have to be proud of my job, instead of wishing I had a different one.

I am in good shape physically; I have been involved in Judo Canada for ten years and have been very successful at tournaments. Training for judo and other activities takes a large amount of initiative, which I think would be a very important trait for a firefighter.

Every weekend since last summer, I have been working at Countryside Home Hardware, at work I have developed a lot of interpersonal and social skills while dealing with customers.
With my initiative and responsibility I believe I will someday achieve my life long goal of becoming a firefighter. I intend to apply to St. Clair College after high school and become a firefighter. I am willing to push myself and work as hard as possible to achieve this goal.
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Jamie Rossignol
My name is Jamie Rossignol and I am a grade twelve student at Assuption College Catholic High School. I believe that a co-op placement at the Windsor Fire & Rescue would be a great experience and opportunity for me to learn and expand my mind. I have not completely figured out what I really want to do after high school but I have figured out that I want to help the community I grew up in.

I feel that I am a good candidate because I am very active in my community and I try to do my best in helping others. Some of my friends tell me that I can be to generous but I always tell them that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. I am very trustworthy, enthusiastic and dependable. I work well with others and am able to follow instructions. I can be a real team player and love to get involved with activities. I am also a cadet in the Windsor Regiment.

I think that by becoming a firefighter it would be a more effective way of helping my community. I will be able to help those that really need the help. When I found out that there was a way to work with the fire and rescue department, I was excited. To be able to be apart of something so wonderful that helps people everday and safe lives. This department is a true pillar in the community and the city would not be able to function well without you.

I feel that everybody has a destiny and I think that this could be mine. This year I have started working out on a regular basis to get back into shape. I am eating healthier now that Christmas is out of the way and I feel that I am really to continue to the path of fitness. Thank you for taking the time and reading my essay and I look forward to meeting you.
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