Becoming a St. Paul firefighter isn’t only about completing a grueling 16-week training academy.
Many of the 19 new firefighters who graduated Friday have been working and struggling for years to reach their dream.
DuJuan Williams, who said he’s been on his own since eighth grade, has spent more than a decade trying to become a firefighter.
When he finally made it to the St. Paul fire academy, he was hit by more adversity: His car was stolen in Minneapolis, along with his recruit uniform and books he needed to study. His graduation was in jeopardy, but he persevered.
Another new firefighter, Derek Baker, grew accustomed to peril after serving two tours in Iraq as an Army truck driver. He came face-to-face with danger again recently. About a month ago, while volunteering as a firefighter in Linwood Township, Baker was assaulted while responding to a fire and needed staples to close his head wound.