People of Georgian: Alumni forest firefighter blazes many career paths
Jan. 19, 2024
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The Georgian community is full of unique, inspiring perspectives —and we’re sharing them as part of an ongoing series.
People of Georgian: Meet Joshua Bowles
The first forest fire I encountered was probably one of the most intense experiences I’ve ever felt.
In teams of five, my crew was mobilized by truck and pre-positioned in a high-risk area of our district with a red alert helicopter crew at base ready to respond. When we got a call to go, the adrenaline began pumping through me.
We drove to a nearby lake where two barges and their operators were awaiting our arrival. We loaded the boats with our gear and, in tandem, began crossing the lake toward the fire.
Huddled in the boat, we heard an ear-shattering roar of a water bomber flying low directly over us on its way to drop a load of water on the fire. It was impressive watching two massive water bombers and a smaller one skillfully make laps of the lake to pick up water and then drop it on the flames.
It’s very loud, but we strangely find a lot of peace in it because we can rely on our training and trust in one another. Our crew stays there, camping out in the bush for days or weeks, until the fire is pronounced out.
It’s a truly thankless job, but the experiences I’ve lived with my firefighting family will forever remain in my memory.
That is just one of the amazing experiences I have had while on my journey to find the right career for me.
Serving the community runs in Joshua’s family
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been inspired to follow in my family’s footsteps and pursue a career in the public services.
Many of them have careers in the emergency services or the public service sector, such as social work, firefighting, health care, operating the town ambulance, and so on.
We also have a family history as firefighters for the Town of Wasaga Beach. My great-great-uncle was the first fire chief, and my great-grandpa was the first paid firefighter in Wasaga and became the first fire captain. My grandpa, papa, step-papa and other cousins and uncles were also volunteers.
My family’s commitment to their communities has absolutely steered my career journey, and I have tried many different jobs because I wanted to explore what was out there before dedicating myself to one career. I promised myself I would only work positions I love and find interesting.
Joshua studies policing, firefighting
I started college in the Police Foundations program at Georgian, and during that time I had a variety of different jobs, including swim instructor/lifeguard and ski patroller. I also obtained the necessary certifications to become a safety officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
I was also a leader in training through my church’s youth group and volunteered at the town’s youth centre. This is when I became interested in teaching, and I ended up supply teaching at my local elementary school.
After completing Police Foundations, I joined Georgian’s Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program to allow me to volunteer like my forefathers once did.
Afterward, I began volunteering as a firefighter for the Township of Georgian Bay and that’s when I got into forest firefighting.
Today, I am taking the Paramedic program at Georgian because I’ve found a great reward in providing emergency health care in the field and want to continue that. I’d like to work as a paramedic and volunteer as a firefighter in my community.
Just like my family, who have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, that’s what I want to do. I find a lot of pride in that.
Joshua Bowles, a student in Georgian’s Paramedic program and two-time alumnus of the Police Foundations (class of 2018) and Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training (class of 2021) programs.