ROCKINGHAM — Some kids graduating high school don’t know what they want to be when they grow up.
But Noah Stubbs, a recent hire at the Rockingham Fire Department, has known for several years that he wanted to be a fireman.
“I just always had a passion for firefighting,” he said. “I grew up in it.”
His father, Randy Stubbs was with Cordova Fire and Rescue for 10 years, the East Rockingham Fire Department for eight years and also worked with the Rockingham Fire Department part time before returning to Cordova.
“I think it’s great. I’m proud of him,” his father said. “Chances like that don’t happen every day.”
Noah Stubbs graduated in May and was hired in early July.
He joined Cordova as a junior firefighter at the age of 13 and during school, the now 18-year-old took advantage of the firefighter training program.
He said the program was an easy way to get the training and certifications out of the way.
“Noah, while at Richmond Senior High School, was an excellent student,” said instructor Vic McCaskill. “He always stayed focused on the fire curriculum and he helped other students to become proficient in firefighting skills.”
McCaskill added that he had good personal skills (integrity, self-motivation and work ethic), workplace skills (teamwork, leadership and critical thinking) and technical skills (computer technology and job knowledge).
He was also a member of SkillsUSA and competed at both the state and regional firefighter competitions, McCaskill added.
There are three classes in the firefighter program, according to the curriculum guide.
“It’s good for any of the youth in this county that wants to be a firefighter,” Randy Stubbs said.
Rockingham Fire Chief Harold Isler also praised the program and said he hopes the partnership between the city and the school system will encourage students in the program to seek employment.
The department has had at least two firemen, Troy Sorrell and Wayne Covington, to retire within the past six months.
“College is not for everybody,” Isler said. “They can still come here and still further their education.”
If Noah Stubbs stays with RFD for 30 years, he’ll be able to retire at the age of 48, according to the chief.
“That’s kinda how I got in,” he added. “I didn’t come through a program like that, but I came out of high school and went right into the fire service.”
Isler, himself, could retire in six years.
With two months under his belt, Noah Stubbs has responded to structure fires and wrecks, including at least one fatal.
“It takes a calling to do it,” he said regarding the high likelihood of dealing with fatalities and other tragedies. “Not everybody’s cut out for it. You have to know how to cope with the situation.”
Growing up around it and with his years as a junior firefighter, Noah Stubbs says he’s already experienced some of the situations.
He said you have to look at them as “just another thing” because “if you look at it in a depressed way, it’s gonna hit you. You have to have the right mindset about it.”
“You never stop training for certain situations because you never know what you’re going to run into.”
