By Ty Walker
The Mountain Times
Gus Reasor says that the self-discipline and skills he learned in the Marine Corps have helped him prepare for the Hoodland Fire District Student Program. After growing up in Gresham and graduating from Barlow High School, Reasor had his sights set on a career in the military.
He served four years, achieving the rank of lance corporal by the time he left the Marines. He became interested in a career where helping people in emergency situations – when lives are at stake – is part of his job
“It gives you self-discipline and teaches you a lot of skills that some people never really think about learning,” Reasor said of his military training. “It physically and mentally gets you prepared for stuff like this.”
Reasor decided firefighting was the best path forward because it would give him the opportunity to help people more often than some other jobs. He began by enrolling in the Hoodland student program a few months ago.
“It’s very eye-opening, it’s a good experience,” he said. “I love working with everybody here. I’ve learned a lot and get to help people while I do it.
Reasor has been assigned to the 48 hour on/96 hour off “A shift” at Hoodland, where he works alongside full time and volunteer firefighters. He recently started taking firefighter classes at Portland Community College to earn his firefighter 1 and 2 certification. He is also training to become an Emergency Medical Technician.
While training toward his goal of becoming a career firefighter, Reasor finds time to maintain a regular part-time job with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office as a community service crew leader. He is impressed by just how professional everybody is here in Hoodland. “Everybody here is very good at their jobs,” he said. “Every day they practice something to be better and maintain the skills they already have.”
He recommends the Student Program for anyone interested in becoming a firefighter. “Especially Hoodland, because of its location and the amount of people coming through during the tourist seasons, like summer and winter, you see people from all walks of life,” Reasor said. “We get a wide variety of calls. We get a lot of traffic collisions because of Highway 26 and medical emergencies are always interesting.”
Students chosen for the Hoodland Fire District Student Program will receive tuition assistance, including books and other education expenses. Each position is for two years, with the potential of continuing for a third year to obtain a paramedic degree and certification. Along with the financial assistance, all resident students will receive free room and board at the Government Camp Station and a living stipend of $400 a month.
For more information about the Hoodland Fire District Student Program, go online to https://www.hoodlandfire.gov/student-program, or phone 503-622-3256