Testimonials

PAUL SMITH – WEP 2 Fire Fighter – Hired with Mississauga Fire Rescue
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Being a member of the work experience program not only helped me improve my skills,
training and education as a fire fighter, it also made me improve and grow as an
individual.

I learned not only to respect my senior officer and fellow WEP members but also to
respect the community in which I lived and to take ownership for my actions.
Being a member of the WEP is so much more than responding to emergency situations
and attending training sessions. It is about being a member of a family. Being able to turn
to your fellow WEP members when you have no one else to turn to, knowing to that they
will listen to what ever is bothering you.

Being a WEP is about helping each other by doing anything you can to see them succeed
even though you are competing against them for the same full-time fire fighting position.
Knowing that if you didn’t get the position there is no one else more deserving then your
fellow WEP members.

The training and experience gained by being a member of the work experience program
is like no other. In the short time of nine months I was able to complete 8 courses which I
received certificates.

I responded to over 75 emergency situations some of which my partner and I were first
on scene and had to establish command and do a detailed size up. I had the opportunity to participate in various community services fundraisers. I had the chance to participate in Fire Prevention week and teach school children about the importance of fire escape plans and to; Stop, Drop and Roll.

Most importantly I learned what it takes to become a full-time firefighter and the areas of
weakness I had that were holding me back from accomplishing this dream – specifically,
my resume format and my interview skills (or lack of them). All of these areas were not
only taught, but they were repeated until they become second nature.

For this I would like to thank Fire Chief Gord McCleary, Deputy Fire Chief Larry Watkinson and my fellow work experience members. They believed in me when I had my doubts and my setbacks.

Thank You!

Paul Smith
Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services