Chantal MacLeod didn’t hesitate to enroll in the part-time offering of JIBC’s Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate program which allowed her to continue working full-time while pursuing her dream of a firefighting career. (Photo by Jesse Erlich)
Chantal MacLeod has always been interested in pursuing a career in firefighting but found it difficult to take time off work to do so.
For several years, Chantal has worked full time as a lifeguard and swim instructor at a local community centre. The job has given her the opportunity to use her first aid skills and to work in an environment that fosters teamwork.
After extensive research on firefighting schools, she decided the Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate (FFTC) program at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) was her top choice. When she learned it was being offered as a part-time program, she jumped at the chance and enrolled in the first cohort.
“Being able to take the FFTC as a part-time program was absolutely amazing. I was able to keep my full time job at the pool, have an income, and get the same training and hands-on experience as the full-time classes would,” she said. “The seven weeks were challenging, balancing work, school, family, life, physical training and sleep, but the best things in life are always the most challenging. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” read more