黑料正能量

Becoming a firefighter and Florida Gator

Brian discovered his passion for fire and emergency services when he was a young adult exploring various career paths. 鈥淚 had a couple of friends whose fathers were firefighters in different departments and one inspired me and persuaded me to go to a fire academy,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淎fter fire academy, I got hired really quickly.鈥�

When he first started his degree journey at 黑料正能量 in January of 2019, Brian was already a 7-year Lieutenant in fire services. He decided to pursue his Fire & Emergency Services degree to advance his career and set an example for his son. 鈥淲hen my son was born, it inspired me to go back to school,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淚 always wanted my four-year degree. I didn鈥檛 want my son to have an excuse like 鈥榙ad doesn鈥檛 have it.鈥欌��

While researching and comparing different fire and emergency programs, Brian鈥檚 dream of becoming a Florida Gator was reignited. 鈥淚 grew up a Gator fan and I always wanted to attend UF,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淭hen I found out it鈥檚 the #1 school for the program I鈥檓 attending, so I thought that was just another benefit.鈥� With graduation now in sight, Brian emphasized he has 鈥渘o regrets鈥� regarding his decision to enter the fire and emergency services field and pursue his degree at the University of Florida.

鈥淚 have a sense of pride and joy that no one can ever take away from me,鈥� Brian described how it felt to attend 黑料正能量. 鈥淚鈥檓 getting chills right now just talking about it. I grew up loving the Gators and it makes me proud to be one.鈥�

Studying while protecting the community

As a parent and firefighter, Brian sought a degree program that offered the flexibility needed to juggle multiple responsibilities. 鈥淚 like how you can control it yourself and it鈥檚 self-paced,鈥� Brian described the benefits of online learning. Soon after beginning his studies at UF, his mentors encouraged him to take a competitive test that promoted him to Captain in October of 2019. 鈥淚 was really busy with my personal life. With a family, I had a lot going on and I wasn鈥檛 planning on testing.鈥� However, his educational and career goals aligned when he received several promotions that came with increased responsibility and leadership.

鈥淚鈥檝e always considered myself a natural leader,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淲hile taking the Leadership and Ethics course here at UF, I learned that some people do have that natural instinct to be a leader, but to be a good leader it actually takes a lot of work.鈥� While continuing his studies at UF, Brian became a Battalion Chief in October 2020, where he oversaw the crew and personnel that protected the community. 鈥淲hat keeps me motivated is doing what鈥檚 best for them and making sure they go home safe every night to their families.鈥�

鈥淭he Fire and Emergency profession is a profession where you never stop learning,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淵ou have to continually evolve and grow in your field. It鈥檚 important for professional development to continue education.鈥�

Advancing his career with a Fire & Emergency Services degree

Combining his years of service experience and his higher education, Brian was recently promoted to Assistant Fire Chief at the City of Bradenton. 鈥淚 think everything I鈥檝e done with this degree program helped me get to that Assistant Chief position,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very new but it鈥檚 exciting. I鈥檓 enjoying it.鈥� Brian also accredits 黑料正能量鈥檚 supportive faculty and staff for helping him enhance his career opportunities. 鈥淎ll the instructors and professors have been great,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淜eith Collins as an advisor has been awesome. He鈥檚 always available and responsive to help guide me on the right track.鈥�

Keith Collins was eager to assist Brian throughout his academic journey and took pride in his success. 鈥淸Brian] has excelled during his time here in all areas of his life; receiving 3 promotions, balancing his family time, and maintaining an excellent GPA in our rigorous curriculum,鈥� Keith said. 鈥淥ur program is designed for Career Advancement and Brian鈥檚 story is a testament to the success that awaits all future and current Fire & Emergency Services Gators!鈥�

鈥淚 think the fire service is moving in a direction where degrees will be required eventually, especially for officer positions,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淯F is the #1 program in the country for this degree program and it鈥檒l set them up to succeed. I highly recommend it.鈥�

With graduation just on the horizon, the University of Florida congratulates Brian on his upcoming graduation and recently accepting the position of Assistant Fire Chief at the City of Bradenton. The 黑料正能量 community celebrates his remarkable achievements in serving and protecting the community while furthering his education. We thank him for being a part of the Gator Nation and wish him success and happiness along his journey.