Danvers High School grad set to become 5th generation firefighter

DANVERS, Mass. — A Danvers High School graduate will be following in the footsteps of the four generations that came before him by becoming a firefighter.

Cameron Smith comes from a long line of firefighters, starting with his great-great-grandfather. Smith is now set to become the fifth generation of firefighters in his family.

“It’s something my family’s been a part of for years and years and I’m excited to finally become part of something that they’ve been doing,” said Smith.

Smith says he’s always been inspired by the firemen in his family and growing up he was sure he wanted to be a hero, too.

“There was never any doubt that he wanted to be a fireman, wearing the outfits, stealing my clothes,” said Smith’s father.

While his family knew all along Smith was destined to carry on his family’s legacy, the workplace environment has changed as the risks he’ll face are much more different than those of past generations.

“Now, let’s face it, with drugs and other stuff it’s a whole different world,” said Smith. “We have terrorism and stuff that I never considered when I joined the job with the fire department. We have bulletproof vest on the fire apparatus now, I never imagined that 10 years ago.”

Nevertheless, the patriarchs of the Smith family couldn’t be prouder, not just because of his drive to serve his community but also the work he’s put into getting to where he wants to be.

Smith was one of just 20 candidates accepted to a residency program while he gets his fire science degree from Southern Maine Community College.

Throughout his college career, Smith will be working in a firehouse in Cumberland, Maine, protecting lives while he earns his diploma.

“I’m just very proud, I’ve watched him grow up its always been something in the back of his mind he’s always said he wanted to be and now he’s pursuing that,” said his father.  “I just wish him the best of luck.”

For Smith, it’s a dream come true to be able to carry on the family tradition.

“They’re like mentors to me, they’re my idols, I always grew up visiting them at the firehouse, as long as I can remember I was that little kid who wanted to be like dad and grandpa,” said Smith.

The program Smith is enrolled in will complete his entry-level training. Then, he will go on to learn about hazardous materials, drones and new technology used in firefighting.

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