“I was in a place where I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” recalls Yocupicio.

One day, Guerrero returned to the market with a question of his own: Was Yokupicio interested in training to become a firefighter?

“And he said, ‘I want to be your sponsor,'” added Yokupicio. “I said, ‘What? No way.'”

A few months later, on August 12, Yocupicio graduated from the Santa Cruz County Regional EMT/Fire Academy along with his classmates. Fifteen recruits formally completed his six-month program. This feat requires passing state-mandated exams, EMT certification, and hours of physical training. Some recruits were born and raised in Santa Cruz County, while others came all the way from California.

First responders are currently working for the Nogales, Liolico, and Tuback fire stations and heading to the scene.

Under cloudy skies on Friday, new graduate Jaylen Spencer stood on the Nogales High School soccer field and talked to his colleagues.

“Uncertainty is normal,” he said. “Even if I’m scared or nervous”

Spencer, who will work for the Nogales Fire Department, noted the physical and mental toll of his chosen career.

“But in that moment, we have to rely on the motivation built by these gentlemen,” he added, gesturing towards the academy’s chief instructors, José Higuera and Antonio Sanchez. I was.

Spencer paused and held onto the podium.

“We share common goals,” he said. “And it’s about caring for the members of our community, caring for each other, caring for those we love.”

get into the groove

After speaking with Guerrero at the Tubac Market, Yokupicio seized the opportunity. A few months later, in his early July, he was fighting a simulated fire with 14 of his comrades. They hid under heavy turnout gear, dragging hoses from Rio Rico Fire Station No. 2.

Multiple firefighters told NI that the “live burn” training marks a tipping point in their academy experience. The curriculum moves further away from textbooks and lectures and closer to the volatile and real-life experiences first responders encounter.

For two days, the recruits fought fire that engulfed the insides of old cars and metal trailers. The Academy simulated ground, ground, outdoor, and gas cylinder fires.

Don Redman, a student who will work at the Rio Rico Fire Department, said the first day was awkward and disorganized, with recruits stumbled on completing tasks. By the second day, he said, “We moved a lot faster.”

“We kind of got into a groove,” added Redman.

The second day of training was coming to an end, but the sun was still shining overhead. Upon completion of the two-day training, recruits were assembled internally to review performance, test stamina and teamwork.

“Communication was better today,” said recruit Benjamin Beyer.

“One of the things I feel we need to work on is fatigue,” Beyerle added. I’m really tired. ”

After Yocupicio made a series of observations, the instructor urged “one more positive thing.”

“Nobody fainted.

Incentives for First Responders

Speaking to NI in late February, RRFD battalion commander Christian Renteria noted a local shortage of firefighters.

“We don’t know exactly why,” Renteria said at the time. ”

According to Renteria, paying recruits was part of the answer.

“This is a blessing,” Redman told NI in July. “It’s a unique academy in the sense that we get paid. It’s full-time.”

Still, Redman said he wished he’d had time to find another job to survive amid historically high inflation.

“Everything is so expensive now. It doesn’t quite cut,” he added. “But at the same time, having him focus on one thing at a time gives him more chances to stay focused.”

According to him, the hardship brought the recruits closer together, forming a bond called the Brotherhood of Redman and Yokupicio. When one of his new recruits needed help with his monthly car payments, Redman said, the crew scoured the remaining financing funds to collect tips.

“I see some of my lifelong friends,” said Redman, who grew up in Sonoita and didn’t know his classmates until he entered school.

Once the 2022 term ends, Renteria told NI that the “learn to earn” approach, in which new hires receive their salaries, will be on the horizon for the next academic class scheduled to start sometime between November and January. said it was likely to be in Salaries are funded by the department itself, Renteria said.

“I think we are still in a position where the need is probably high enough to run the same model,” added Renteria.

New recruits in the 2022 class used wood chips to start yet another fire after the live burning training ended in July. This time it’s a celebratory bonfire. They scooped dinner out of foil containers, gathered outside, jokingly ate, and drank water from large aluminum water bottles. Redman sat down on the stairs and rested with his head dropped between his knees.

They were physically exhausted, Redman admitted.

However, he said, “the spirit is always high.”