PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A new addition to the Peoria Fire Department is right where he wants to be.
Cristian Alanis-Mata, 22, is the first graduate of the apprenticeship program that was started by the PFD two years ago. He joined the program right out of high school, and has flourished since.
"He has such a great personality and he works so hard and he’s so open minded," Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger said, "and I know that it’s an extreme example, like not every person or every apprentice is going to be that, but that you can use Christian as an example, that he is a success story. And those type of traits can help you in this industry be more successful.
Alanis-Mata graduated from Dunlap High School, and is proud to give back to the area that brought him up.
"I was born and raised here," Cristian said. "I want to do something that would benefit my community, and it just puts a smile on my face knowing that I’m doing this today."
He also said that he hopes more people in the community with an interest in firefighting are able to explore the program.
"It’s just an honor," he said. "I worked my butt off to be here, and I’m glad that shows today and I’m able do something like this and hope that, you know… kids out here, teenagers and adults have the same opportunity that I took because it’s the right route for sure."
Something that he learned is how important strength is to the job.
"Strength is a very key component to being on the fire service when it comes to lifting ladders, carrying victims, carrying the tools up flights of stairs," Alanis-Mata said, "but also cardio, being able to do high-driven strength activities for a long period of time."
It is in the department’s contract that they are required to workout for an hour a day.
Alanis-Mata is looking forward to starting his paramedic program with the department soon as well.
"I didn’t think I’d be doing that just starting out," he said. "But, you know, doing the apprenticeship and seeing how much EMS was [involved] and how interested I was in it, I realized I want to do a lot more."
When the program started, only 3 spots were available, and the age range was only 18-21 years old. Now, the department has additional funding in their operations budget to expand from 3 to 6 apprentice spots. The age range was expanded to 17-25 years old now as well.
Chief Sollberger said the department has received 17 applications for the apprenticeship program, and will be conducting interviews with the candidates this month.
PFD is also working with Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth to seek additional grant funding for the program.
To read more about the requirements to be an apprentice for PFD, click here.
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