Kamloops native Jayden Ockenden has always wanted a career where he could make a difference in someone’s life. He had initially planned to pursue a career in law enforcement. But spending his summers as a wildland firefighter while he studied at SFU helped him discover his true calling as a firefighter.

“I loved the camaraderie, the team work, and knowing that I was doing something meaningful and important,” said Jayden who played on SFU’s football team in his first year. “I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else after that.”

To realize his career goal, Jayden was encouraged to complete his firefighter training at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).

“I was fortunate enough to know a Captain from Kamloops Fire Rescue and was advised to go to JIBC as it’s one of the most prestigious fire academies around,” said Jayden, who was in Class 5 of the new Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate (jibc.ca) (FFTC) Program. “He was not wrong. JIBC was everything I was hoping for and more.”

There was a lot about the FFTC program that impressed the 23-year old, who was hired by Fort St. John Fire Rescue (fortstjohn.ca)  in northern B.C. a month after completing the JIBC program in March 2016.

“The quality and diversity of training we received was top notch. We had training officers from all over the Lower Mainland that had many years of experience,” he said. “They all demonstrated a passion for their craft, and wanted us to all succeed and be safe doing so.”

He added: “I loved how the program made me feel like I was part of the Fire Service. I was very lucky to have 20 like-minded people in my recruit class. We all got along; looked out for each other, both on and off the training ground. I have some friends for life because of JIBC.”

He credits the intense, hands-on training in FFTC program as an essential factor for him being hired as a professional firefighter.

“I can say with 100% certainty that I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for the training I received at JIBC,” he said. “All the small details that you learn in the program, from polishing your boots every morning, to calling my superiors by the proper rank, to taking pride in everything you do – it all made a difference.”