Cole McCarthy grew up in Ahwatukee, dreaming like many children do about being a firefighter some day. A year ago, McCarthy landed a job with the Gilbert Fire Department, beating out 1,200 other applicants vying for the job within the first three hours it was posted. McCarthy attended Desert Vista High School, graduating in 2014. Half of his day was spent learning fire science at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT). He worked at a local restaurant making and delivering pizza. “That’s where I first learned customer service and teamwork,” he said. “During my EMT course at Mesa Community College, my instructor set me up with ride-alongs with a Gilbert fire truck. I had some good mentors.”