The heat is on for the 24th Fire Cycle with the Guam Fire Department. The latest class of recruits is deep in training, pushing through drills testing strength and stamina and absorbing information in the classroom.

One Wednesday morning, KUAM News stopped by the Guam Community College to check-up on trainees. The cycle, made up of 15 males and one female range from ages 21 to 41 started up on April 14.

GFD spokesperson Lieutenant Nick Garrido said, "They are currently undergoing an emergency medical technician course taught by our members, which will allow them to transition and test for the national registry. Over the next several weeks they will continue on with the EMT portion and then start going through the hazardous materials awareness and operations as well as their fire grounds operations and eventually into the emergency vehicle portion and allow them to drive our emergency vehicles."

Some recruits share what made them answer the calling, as 27-year old Laenie Morales said, "I actually started during COVID time and I was going through college, I was majoring in biology, and during COVID we were in quarantine I felt I wasn't doing much while everyone

 

was out on the field working days on end - it led me to join the military and the Guam Fire Department."

And Ethaniel Escuadra, 22, said, "I've always wanted a career in the medical field whether it be a doctor, or a nurse, or any type of emergency medical service personnel in hopes of helping and saving lives."

Taking us back to the first day of the academy, Garrido explains what the cadre shared with them. "The advice that was given to them was to stick to our core values - be professional, respect, integrity, and dedicate themselves to the community and each other, and empathy to the families," he said.

As many know, going through the fire academy is not only demanding of the recruit but also their family. "I would like to thank my family and friends who are always pushing me and support me through and through," Morales said, with Escuadra adding, "I would like to thank my family for supporting me in this journey. And also for making the necessary sacrifices to carry out this dream."

As the cycle continues on their journey to becoming a firefighter, Escuadra put it best, saying, "Serving our island , our community, especially the families is one of the most fulfilling careers one can carry in a lifetime."