The state's only residential student firefighting program ignites career passions
When students on the UC Davis campus call for the fire department, they are often greeted with an unexpected sight -- their own classmates. Fifteen students live and work alongside 21 career firefighters in a residential firefighting program that is the only one of its kind in California.
Since its inception in 1955, the UC Davis program has gained a reputation as one of the best student jobs on campus. The students live at the fire station while taking three training seminars and working an average of 90 hours per month, all on top of a full-time university course load.
They do not receive regular monetary compensation, but are provided with a free room to live in and an opportunity to earn extra money by responding to calls when they are off-duty.
Though the job is strenuous, it is its own reward. "You get paid for doing what you love to do," says former student firefighter Graham Northrop.
‘When I got into the job and saw what people do here, that's when I knew. I love this job; it's the best job in the whole world. I couldn't see myself doing anything else.’
Student firefighter Nate Hartinger
Massive applicant pool
Because the residential firefighter program is unique, it has a massive applicant pool. This past summer, 150 students applied for only 10 positions. Though there is no experience required, the student hopefuls must first survive "The Academy," an intensive training program spanning three weeks in September.
During the September academy, would-be firefighters undergo rigorous mental and physical training, including a human-performance lab evaluation, during which the students run for as long as they physically can while machines monitor their heart rate.
Once in the program, however, these lucky students find not only a job, but also a community.
"It's a family," says Assistant Fire Chief Wes Arvin. "You build the friendships that really last a lifetime." Arvin is one of many career firefighters who, after graduating from the student program, chose to stay in Davis to teach the next generation.
Wayne Leonard, a sophomore majoring in organizational studies, has learned to handle the water hose. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis photo)
Respond throughout the county
The UC Davis Fire Department responds to calls throughout Yolo County, including West Sacramento. Given the number of chemical labs on the Davis campus itself, hazardous materials (hazmat) training becomes a vital part of the student firefighter's curriculum.
"As a student you're put through the basic hazmat class that gives you the nuts and bolts on how to be safe," Northrop explains. "We're the most advanced hazmat team in the county. We do entries, with the big rubber suits."
According to Fire Captain Kim Jester, UC Davis student firefighters are well equipped to handle the rigors of basic as well as hazmat training. "The students in our program are very fast learners because they are at UCD. It takes a certain amount of aptitude and a level of knowledge to get in here."
In fact, the majority of the students who enter the program--most of whom had no intention of becoming career firefighters--find themselves drawn to the profession.
Former student firefighter Nate Hartinger admits, "I doubled in sociology and communications. That's the big joke, because it doesn't actually correlate to the fire service. When I got into the job and saw what people do here, that's when I knew. I love this job; it's the best job in the whole world. I couldn't see myself doing anything else."
When he was the one wide-eyed
Cess Mercado, another alumnus from the program, says, "It's a great dynamic. I can remember a few years back I was the one wide-eyed and didn't know what I was doing. Now to have some of these guys turn around and say, 'Hey, you take care of it, you've been here awhile.'"
According to student firefighter Abbey Wilson, the older firefighters provide inspiration. "They're really good role models; they make you want to become a firefighter."
Because of the high-risk aspects of the job, many parents lament their child's career change. "My mom was a little hesitant," Hartinger confesses.
Some parents, however, love the idea of their child being a firefighter. Student firefighter Dave Anderson relates, "I'm studying abroad next year and my mom says, 'You need to make sure that, when you get back, you still have your position as a student firefighter.'"
The Davis student firefighting program is renowned throughout the nation. "The reputation of this program travels distances," Northrop says. "It's well-known and people recognize that these kids come from a well-respected program. There are students that have graduated from this program that are firefighters all over the country." Indeed, of the 500 students who have participated in the program over the years, nearly one-third have become professional firefighters.
Though the students realize the responsibility of their position as firefighters, they also relish the adventurous side of the job. Hartinger says, "We get to play with the Jaws of Life, repel off buildings, cut into roofs with chain saws to ventilate gasses. The toys, as you get old, they get bigger and better, and in the fire service, they're even better yet."