City launches paid pilot program for youth to explore firefighting and policing

The City of Toronto and partner organizations have launched a paid youth community academy giving 40 high school students hands-on experience in firefighting and policing.

The summer-long initiative takes place at Seneca Polytechnic, which already operates programs in both fields. Participants spend one month focusing on firefighting and another on police foundations. Students receive wages for their time and earn a microcredit toward future education.

"Youth exuberance, excitement where they can learn great skills, learn about service — whether police or fire — gain confidence and also have a summer job," Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters. "Not everyone can do unpaid internships in the summer. There are a lot of kids who need a job and this gives them that."

Coun. Jon Burnside highlighted a key challenge: "Knowing the city, knowing the neighbourhoods or even growing up in the neighbourhoods really gives extra support to the people they support. However, it's difficult because the cost of living in the city of Toronto is quite high." The program aims to build a stronger local base of applicants for both the Toronto Fire Service and Toronto Police Service.

Participant Amildon Calongo, 18, called the paid opportunity transformative: "Being a firefighter is my dream job since I was five years old. This is a dream come true for me and for my family too; a great opportunity." Fellow participant Ryan De'ath, 16, said the program taught him how excessive heat affects firefighting operations, while also helping him save for post-secondary education. Officials said they plan to expand the program in the future and recruit more participants from additional Toronto neighbourhoods.