Growing up, Kemper Hessing always knew he wanted to be a first responder. Inspired by his father, a sheriff’s deputy, Hessing admired the way public servants carried themselves and the impact they made in their communities.
While law enforcement was familiar, Hessing felt drawn to firefighting.
“The camaraderie between firefighters and the ability to truly be there for people when they need help most were two major factors that led me down this path,” said Hessing.
Although, that path wasn’t immediate. After graduating high school 2022, Hessing worked odd jobs while preparing to pursue a career in law enforcement at 21. But everything changed when he visited Eagle Fire Department for the first time.
“From that moment, my eyes were opened to the fire service,” he said. “There’s nothing else I can see myself doing for the rest of my career.”
Now in his first year of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Fire Service Technology program, Hessing is pursuing that calling.
“As a first-generation firefighter, it can be hard to find a place to start,” Hessing said. “I asked around different stations here in the Treasure Valley, and everyone I talked to pointed me to CWI. The opportunity to learn from second- and third-year firefighters to retired fire chiefs is invaluable.”
Getting into the program is no small feat. Students must pass a written exam and an oral board interview. Hessing prepared by dedicating countless hours to mock interviews, station visits, and study sessions.
Being part of the program has been both rewarding and challenging. Hessing admits the physical rigor has been tougher than expected, but he sees that as one of the best parts.
“I’ve been able to come in, push myself, and see my progress every day,” he said.
The program, known for its competitive selection process, provides students with hands-on training and mentorship from firefighters at every stage of their careers. It immerses students in real-world firefighting scenarios and problem-solving, including live burns, vehicle extrications, and physical fitness courses tailored for firefighters.
“Kemper has been a great student in our program,” said CWI Director of Fire Service Programs, Darrin Raskopf. “We have pushed these recruits to the limits, and he is rising to the challenge. We are only seven weeks into the class, and we have already placed them in a metal chamber with actual fire, allowing them to experience the heat and darkness and observe how a fire grows and evolves. This experience enables them to better understand the dynamics of a fire and its changes.”
That same intensity has also helped Hessing forge strong bonds with his classmates, who share the same challenges and push each other to improve.
“Those are my boys,” Hessing said. “We sweat it out together 40 hours a week. It’s awesome having people to lean on who are going through the same challenges.”
However, those are not the only challenges. Like many students, balancing the demands of school with financial responsibilities can be difficult. Tuition, bills, and everyday expenses can weigh heavily, but scholarships, including the Metallica Scholars Initiative, made a big difference.
“This scholarship has been such a huge relief,” Hessing said. “It helps cover course fees for our gear and allows me to focus less on financial stress and more on putting my best foot forward every single day.”
Through the band’s All Within My Hands foundation, CWI was awarded $125,000 over the past two years to provide Fire Service Technology students with critical safety equipment and help offset the costs of internships and training.
“This program is what it is today because of the equipment and expertise we get to use and train with daily, and this scholarship is a huge part in allowing us to have this fantastic opportunity,” said Hessing.
It’s an opportunity he does not take for granted. In the program, he often hears the phrase, “every day is an interview.” While he takes that to heart, he tries to not let mistakes or slip-ups overshadow his progress.
“How you respond to them is just as important as anything else,” Hessing said. “Don’t let one bad exercise repetition turn into a day of negativity, make your next rep even better and show your instructors you can learn and grow from adversity!”
Looking ahead, Hessing is focused on becoming the best firefighter he can be and giving back to the community he was raised in. He is grateful to Metallica that helped make it possible.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me achieve my dream of making a difference,” Hessing said. “Committing to a 40-hour-a-week unpaid program wasn’t an easy decision, but your generosity has helped me devote myself further to a life of service. I won’t let it go to waste.”
