Fire Focus: Firefighter Student Gets on the Career Track

Aidan DeOliveira always knew he wanted to have a career in public service. He says he wants to do something that helps people and now he’s getting his chance, through the Hoodland Fire District Student Program.

A 2025 Sandy High School graduate, Aidan is on the right track to achieving his ultimate goal of becoming a firefighter-paramedic. He started the two-year program two months ago and has nothing but good things to say about his experience so far.

“I love it,” Aidan said of the student program. “It’s an amazing program full of amazing people.”

He gets hands-on experience working regular shifts side-by-side with staff firefighters and volunteers. That’s 48 hours on, then 96 hours off until his next shift.

Aidan grew up in Sandy and recently moved to Eagle Creek with his family. Two family members, a cousin and uncle, have worked in fire services.

Aidan first became interested in firefighting when he joined the Hoodland cadet program for youth 12 to 18. When he turned 18, he applied to the student program and was accepted.

As a student, he receives tuition assistance, including books and other education expenses. Each position is for two years, with the potential of continuing for a third year to obtain paramedic degree and certification. Along with the financial assistance, all resident students receive free room and board at the Government Camp Fire Station and a stipend for living expenses of $400 a month.

“I was in the cadet program for about a year and I realized I really enjoyed the things that they do and I really wanted to make a career out of it.”

Aidan is on his way to earning his firefighting and EMT (emergency medical technician) degrees: by the end of this year. In about four years, he plans to be working with a fire district full time as a fully equipped firefighter-paramedic.

“I really like the idea of being able to help people,” Aidan said. “I’ve been on a couple of calls where people are having a hard time and it’s nice to see that we can come in there and do our best to help people out and see that people are in better condition than when we got there, often mentally and physically. I really like that. It’s also just a very rewarding career in general.”

As the number of volunteer firefighters declines, the Hoodland Fire Student Program helps fill the gap with career minded young adults such as Aisan, who volunteer their time in exchange for training, experience, and educational support in pursuit of college degrees in the fire and EMS (emergency medical services) related fields.

When he’s not training at the Hoodland Fire District, Aidan works on a demolition crew for a construction firm. He likes to spend his free time outdoors, camping and fishing, or hanging out with friends.