Firefighters surprise student at convocation in dad’s memory

When Liam Coles crossed the stage at convocation, he didn’t expect to see a large group of firefighters cheering for him in the audience.

The Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training alumnus looked out into the crowd and spotted family members – along with more than a dozen firefighters in uniform, each of whom had worked with his dad, who passed away earlier this year.

“It was an exciting and emotional feeling, seeing all the firefighters who showed up for me. Even though my dad is no longer with us, I know he would be very proud of me,” Liam says.

A person wearing a blue convocation robe stands with a group of firefighters in formal uniforms. — *Liam, centre, with more than a dozen firefighters who showed up to support him at his convocation.*

After the ceremony, which took place last month, onlookers stopped to watch as the crowd of firefighters encircled Liam and embraced him one at a time, laughing and tearing up together in celebration.

“It was a promise I made to him, so being there was special for us, too,” says Acting Capt. Cameron Whittaker of the Toronto Fire Services, Liam’s cousin who also worked with his dad, Sean.

“Sean was really hoping that he’d make it to grad. When I was visiting with him before he passed, I said I’d love to go to Liam’s convocation, and he said, ‘All you guys should come.’ We were kind of the eyes for Sean to be there and watch Liam. Seeing the smile on Liam’s face when he turned the corner to get his certificate was amazing, and all of us were really happy to be there.”

A semi-circle of firefighters in formal uniforms wait to shake hands with a person dressed in a blue convocation robe. — *Liam greets the firefighters who went to his convocation Oct. 21.*

Cameron says their family, including their firefighter crew, are all proud of Liam’s accomplishments – graduating with honours despite a difficult last year.

“To me, that’s just incredible. Liam’s a big inspiration to me,” says Cameron. “I remember when Liam was a toddler, wrestling around with him at Christmastime and stuff like that. Fast forward to now: he’s faced adversity and pushed through. We’re really proud of him.”

Like father, like son

Liam, from Whitby, always wanted to be a firefighter like his dad, who was a Toronto Fire Services captain.

A child sits on a seat inside a fire truck with an adult standing next to them. — *Liam grew up wanting to be a firefighter just like his dad.*

Two people wearing Boston Bruins sweaters and hats take a selfie inside a hockey arena. — *Liam, right, says his dad, Sean, was hardworking, funny and humble.*

“I always thought being a firefighter was really cool. But when I was about to start the Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training program at Georgian last year, I got the news that my dad was diagnosed with cancer. It made my heart sink,” says Liam.

“But I felt deep inside that it would be best if I kept pursuing this career and make him proud, seeing that his son is going to be a firefighter just like him.”

Two firefighters in uniform stand next to each other in front of a fire truck. — *Sean, left, and his nephew, Cameron, were firefighters on the same truck.*

Liam’s dad a prankster with a heart of gold

Liam says he will always remember his dad as a funny, caring man who was as quick to pull pranks as he was to support whoever needed help.

“He was always a helping hand who put other people before himself. He was always passionate about what he did, and he was very, very humble,” Liam says, adding his classmates were pivotal in supporting him through his dad’s illness.

“They could see his sickness was affecting me, mentally, and they were there to support me. I had known them for less than a year, but everyone showed up and were with me every step of the way.”

A group photo of firefighters in uniform outside of a fire hall with three fire trucks in the background. — *Sean Coles, back row, fifth from left, with the Toronto Fire Services’ Station 331 crew.*

Keeping firefighting in the family

Now, as Liam takes his next steps toward a firefighting career, his sights are set on one day working at his dad’s old station, No. 331.

“Funnily enough, I’m the third generation of firefighters in our family,” he says. “My grandpa was a district chief with the Toronto Fire Services, also at Station 331, so it runs in the family.”