Training to be a firefighter means more than just learning skills. It means experiencing the heat, the pressure, and the teamwork it takes to save lives.

This week, the recruits of the 23rd fire academy took their training to the next level with real-life fire operations. 

“We just got together and tried to make it as realistic as possible,” said Capt. Joe Sablan. 

And realistic it was. The 32 men and women of Guam Fire Department’s 23rd fire cycle stepped into the fire, literally, applying months of classroom training to real-world scenarios.

“We wanted to bring the true operations of the fire department live,” Sablan added.  

Since last week, these recruits have been tackling fire pro-board I and II job performance requirements

“A full blown exercise as far as fire operations and again this is not something that the fire department has thought of but something we want to bring training to the next level,” said Sablan. 

For recruit Rick Mendiola, firefighting isn’t just a job, it’s a calling.

“There is nothing better than being a part of a prestigious organization like the Guam Fire Department. With that I was able to pursue my dreams and provide the best for my family and be a servant for the island,” said Mendiola. 

For recruit Nichole Paulino, the academy experience changed her perspective

“As we were trained and raised by the cadres, it just makes me want to be a good role model, a good daughter, and the island of Guam,” said Paulino. 

Sablan said while the recruits have learned the fundamentals, this hands-on training puts them to the test.

“The operations we're doing now it's a lot more hands-on, we've been applying what we've been learning the past four months,” said Paulino. 

And in the end, it’s all about preparing them for the real world.

“They now know what it takes to become a firefighter. It's from the method of the madness at the beginning to now and it kind of puts everything together and now they know what they're signing up for,” said Sablan.