A year ago, Marquez Arredondo found himself relying on firefighters during one of the most difficult moments of his life.
Today, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fire Service Technology graduate is responding to emergency calls himself as a reserve firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) with Donnelly Fire Department.
For Arredondo, the path from patient to first responder happened quickly.
The Caldwell native had always been interested in healthcare and public service. Growing up, he spent time on the wrestling mat and regularly saw EMTs and emergency personnel helping injured athletes at tournaments.
However, it was a car accident in 2025 that ultimately changed the direction of his future.
Arredondo and his girlfriend were injured in the crash. While both were shaken, he said watching firefighters care for his girlfriend during the aftermath left the biggest impression.
"The care that they gave her really helped me decide," Arredondo said. "I wanted to be in the fire service, be there for people in the worst moments of their life and help people."
With a career direction coming into focus, Arredondo began looking for ways to break into the fire service. Conversations with local firefighters repeatedly led him to the same recommendation: CWI.
During a visit to Meridian Fire Department, he learned about CWI's Fire Service Technology program from firefighters who had either taught in the academy or launched their careers through its internship opportunities.
"It's a great opportunity, great people, you network out, and it's really the way to go in the valley if you want to get a foot in the door," Arredondo said.
He enrolled in the program and quickly discovered the academy was about much more than physical training.
Like many incoming students, Arredondo arrived confident in his athletic ability after years on the wrestling mat. What surprised him was how much success depended on the people around him.
"My expectations were that I wanted to be the most athletic one," he said. "But then you go in and there's a bunch of hard workers. It's not really a competition. It's about how well you can grow with your classmates."
That lesson became one of the most valuable parts of the academy experience.
While wrestling may appear to be an individual sport, Arredondo said it taught him many of the same lessons he would later find in the fire service: accountability, trust, and supporting teammates through challenges.
"You need to hold your classmates accountable, but they're also going to hold you accountable," he said. "You all grow together."
The academy's demanding schedule tested students both physically and mentally. Long days of training were paired with hours of studying and preparation outside the classroom. When challenges arose, Arredondo leaned on the same support system he now credits for much of his success.
"My classmates are some of my biggest supporters," he said. "They were always there when I needed help with something."
Support also came through the Metallica Scholars Initiative.
Before enrolling at CWI, Arredondo had saved money while working to help pay for school. After his car accident, much of those savings went toward replacing his vehicle, making the cost of firefighter training even more challenging.
"That Metallica grant really helped me," Arredondo said. "It helped me pay for my gear and stuff like that and made the stress on me and my wallet a lot easier."
Through the band's All Within My Hands Foundation, CWI has received funding to help Fire Service Technology students access critical equipment and training opportunities while reducing financial barriers to entering the profession.
After graduating from the academy in December 2025, Arredondo began an internship with Donnelly Fire Department. He quickly immersed himself in the role, working as many shifts as possible and completing the requirements to become a reserve firefighter and EMT.
Today, he responds to medical emergencies, structure fires, and other calls throughout the community.
"It's really surreal," Arredondo said. "You talk about it and talk about it, and then you actually get into it, and it is a whole different experience.”
He credits CWI instructors for helping him reach that point.
"The instructors really set us up for what to expect," Arredondo said. "We had so many instructors willing to give their time to help us."
Just as important were the connections those instructors helped students build throughout the fire service community. Through internships, ride-alongs, station visits, and mentorship opportunities, Arredondo said students are surrounded by people willing to help them succeed.
"Everybody you surround yourself with in this program is willing to help you," Arredondo said. "Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it because everyone around you is willing to."
As he continues applying for full-time firefighting opportunities, Arredondo remains focused on learning, growing, and serving others.
Just over a year after firefighters helped him and his loved ones through one of the most difficult moments of their lives, he now finds himself in a position to do the same for someone else.
Just as Arredondo turned a life-changing experience into a career of service, students interested in careers that protect, serve, and support others can learn more about CWI's Public Safety pathway.
