Shaped by Service: How My NAF Academies of Emergency Medical Science and Fire Science Launched My Firefighting Career

As a high school student, one of the biggest challenges you face is deciding on your future. Until my junior year, my plan was simple: go to a four-year college and hope everything worked out in the end.

My high school, Pine Forest, was home to the NAF Academy of Emergency Medical Science (AOEMS). I joined as a sophomore because I was fascinated by the human body and thought it would be a relatively manageable credit. However, the NAF AOEMS quickly became much more than that. The academy taught me how to slow down, take my education seriously, and appreciate the significance of what I was learning. I felt part of something larger, driven by goals beyond simply passing a class. It shaped me emotionally while giving me a strong foundation in human anatomy and the many careers within medicine.

During the fall semester of my junior year, I recruited middle school students for the NAF AOEMS as they prepared to transition into high school. While there, I met students from other academies and schools. One student in particular, Delicia from the Academy of Fire Science at E.E. Smith High School, encouraged me to consider joining her academy. She gave a strong pitch, and within two weeks, I was registered for the NAF Academy of Fire Science for the spring semester.

I walked into a room filled with laughter, knowledge, and turnout gear, completely unaware that this classroom and the people in it would change my life forever. I fell in love with the fire service almost immediately. It was the first class I had ever taken that felt natural to me. The academy director, Patty Strahan — or “Patricia,” as we called her — pushed us to our limits and always expected our best.

Within a month of joining the NAF academy, I became a Junior Firefighter at the Westarea Fire Department. For the next two years, I was constantly surrounded by training and experience. At the academy, I learned the “book” side of the fire service, and at my department, I learned the “street” side. Those years became some of the most pivotal years of my life. The people I met and worked with during that time are still some of my closest friends today.

Additionally, I cannot miss the opportunity to acknowledge three men I came to call “The Holy Trinity”: Zach McFarland, James Morello, and Jason “Grandpa” Haluski. I spent my final two years of high school at the firehouse, and I came to know every fire truck by sight. I was incredibly fortunate to learn from them. Zach taught me to be aggressive, strong, and to appreciate the craft. Morello taught me confidence and reminded me to always be myself. Haluski taught me the mental side of the fire service — how to admit my faults, apologize when necessary, and keep moving forward no matter what. Most importantly, all three of them taught me the value of family within the workplace.

I also want to thank the Westarea Fire Department for shaping me into the firefighter I am today and for always supporting the academy’s training. My time there gave me memories and relationships I will carry with me forever. The lessons I learned at Westarea carried over into my NAF fire academy experience, fostering a strong sense of respect and connection between my department family and my NAF academy family.

Throughout all four years of high school, I played three varsity sports — tennis, swimming, and softball —and held leadership positions in several clubs and organizations. Still, the fire service quickly became the most important part of my life. While many of my friends spent senior year preparing for college and decorating Pinterest boards for their dorm rooms, I knew I wanted to go to work.

During the spring semester of my senior year, I took a hybrid EMT course that aligned with my NAF AOEMS graduation requirements. Every senior in the academy had the opportunity to choose a medical specialty and complete a three-month internship. My internship looked a little different, as it took place at my fire department. There, I was able to combine both academies to create the best possible path for my future after graduation.

The day I walked across the stage to receive my high school diploma; I had already earned all of my North Carolina fire certifications along with my North Carolina EMT license. In fact, I took my EMT state exam just two hours before putting on my cap and gown. The very next day, I went to work, beginning a part-time position at the fire department that had raised me. That was June 2024.

In September, I was hired by the City of Fayetteville and officially began my career as a firefighter. During high school, we had opportunities to train alongside the Fayetteville Fire Department, which prepared us for the expectations and standards of the profession. Because of the experiences in my academies, I became — and still am —the youngest employee in the Fayetteville Fire Department and am forever grateful to the department for giving me another family.  Joining the fire service at such a young age has sometimes made me feel behind in life experience, but my crew has taught me practical skills — like mowing grass, cashing a check, and painting walls — and, more importantly, how to be a good human being. I credit my high school experiences for helping me mature and preparing me for the workforce. Not many teenagers can say that by the age of 48, they will already qualify for state retirement.

To the next generation: enjoy high school but recognize that these years are also your opportunity to bury your head and work. My NAF academies pushed me emotionally and physically, setting me up for success in ways I never imagined. The most difficult moments of my teenage years became some of my most valuable memories.

No matter what NAF academy, club, or extracurricular activity is available to you, take advantage of all of them. In my NAF AOEMS, there were students who wanted to become veterinarians but still used the academy to gain medical knowledge and experience. The same was true in the NAF Fire Science Academy. These programs bring you one step closer to your goals by providing knowledge, networking opportunities, life experience, and confidence.

My NAF academies gave me more than certifications and career opportunities — they gave me lifelong memories, success, and a family that remains strong today. I am thankful to everyone who has impacted my journey, and I hope to one day positively impact the next generation the way so many have positively impacted me.

The Academy of Fire Science is just one example of what’s possible. NAF is expanding access to 95+ career pathways — from green technology and audio & video production to dental, GIS, public service, and fashion — all designed to meet the needs of your local workforce.