What exactly is it that you are involved in?

I go to Brookdale Fire Station for the first four periods of the school day for a class run by the Technology Center of DuPage. The instructors are lieutenants at the fire station, so they have taught us things like how to get dressed in under a minute and basic fire safety so far.

What certification will you gain from this class?

I will get my EMR, or Emergency Medical Responder, by the end of this year.

Why did you decide to become a fireman?

I have always wanted a physically demanding job, and I just enjoy helping people in tough situations.

What do you think it means to be a first responder?

To me, being a first responder is all about helping those who can’t help themselves.

What are you most excited for in the program?

I want to learn how to stay calm under pressure. I know there’s a program that you can ride in the engine while firefighters are on-call, and I think that would be pretty cool.