As a high school freshman in rural Oregon, Hunter Stephenson signed up for a fire science class without knowing much about the profession.
The class introduced him to emergency response, led to volunteer service with his local fire department, and sparked a passion for fire service that followed him throughout high school.
"I didn't think I was going to like it because I didn't even think about doing that for a career," Stephenson said. "After that first week, I was hooked."
For several years, Stephenson volunteered with Yamhill Fire Protection District, attending weekly drills, responding to calls, and gaining experience on wildland deployments.
An assistant fire chief who taught the fire science class played a major role in shaping his future.
"He took me under his wing and made me fall in love with it," Stephenson said.
But after graduation, life took him in a different direction.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many of his plans. He eventually moved to Idaho, started working in landscaping, and began pursuing a different career path. Over time, firefighting became something he remembered fondly rather than something he actively pursued.
That changed during a trip to Hawaii.
While visiting Maui in the aftermath of the devastating 2023 wildfires, Stephenson found himself thinking about the years he spent volunteering and the sense of purpose he found in the fire service.
As he talked with his girlfriend and her family about those experiences, they asked why he had stepped away from something he once cared so much about. He didn’t have an answer for them.
When he returned home, he started looking for a way back.
"It was all I could think about," he said. "How could I get back and help people?"
Firefighters throughout the Treasure Valley repeatedly pointed him toward College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Fire Service Technology program.
"They said CWI is the best way to get your name out there in the valley and really show people who you are because it's so competitive. It gives you an edge,” Stephenson said.
Earning a spot in the academy took persistence. After missing the cut on his first attempt in 2024, Stephenson spent the next year preparing before applying again.
This time, he got in.
"I was stoked," Stephenson said. "But I also knew there was still a lot of work to do. I knew I had to grind and be on top of my game."
The academy was everything he hoped it would be.
Long days of training were matched by hours of studying and skill development outside of class. Just as important were the relationships he built with classmates, instructors, and firefighters throughout the region.
What began as a competitive environment quickly became a support system. Students studied together, trained outside class, and helped each other balance responsibilities beyond the academy.
"We just started working together and helping each other with homework, studying, whatever we needed," Stephenson said. "Departments aren't going to remember one guy, they're going to remember the class. We might as well work together and make the class memorable so we all have a good chance of getting hired.”
That support became especially valuable as Stephenson balanced academy demands with financial responsibilities. To attend the program, he left his full-time job and relied on income from his Christmas light business on weekends.
Support through the Metallica Scholars Initiative helped ease some of that burden.
"It was a huge help because I was worried about how I was going to make money or how I was going to balance my bank account while I was doing it," Stephenson said. "It was nice to have a little bit of relief."
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.
The program also helped Stephenson build connections throughout the fire service community, relationships that opened doors to opportunities after graduation.
After completing the academy, Stephenson earned his Firefighter I and Hazardous Materials certifications and began serving as a reserve firefighter with Donnelly Fire Department. He also secured an internship with Middleton Star Fire District, where he continues gaining hands-on experience.
Looking back, Stephenson knows his path into the fire service included a few unexpected turns, but he is grateful that one of them led him back to where he always felt he belonged.
"Keep trying," he said. "Everyone has their own path. Some guys are going to get hired right away, some guys aren't. Your story is your own, and you'll get there when you get there."
For Stephenson, CWI provided a path back to the fire service. Students interested in careers that protect, serve, and support others can learn more about CWI's Public Safety pathway.
