There were late Christmases, missed birthdays and postponed trips to the zoo, but Cody Zebedee was not upset when he was a young boy waiting for his father because he knew his dad was doing something special, a career path he too has followed.
Zebedee is now a captain at the new Heritage Heights fire hall and he is following closely in his father Len’s footsteps. Len is the chief at the High River Fire Department and has been with the department since 1974.
From a young age Zebedee knew he wanted to be a fireman just like his dad and living across the street from the fire hall he could keep a close eye on the old man.
“I would stand in our front window across from the fire hall and watch the trucks,” said Zebedee. “I would see they guys and buzz across the street and help clean the trucks and hoses.
“I grew up around it and I knew right away it was what I wanted to do.”
Len admitted there were many times over the years when he missed a birthday or an anniversary because he was called out to a fire.
As a result, he said having a supportive family is critical to the life of a firefighter. It was something Zebedee understood at a young age.
“I knew dad would have to go away sometimes, but it wasn’t just oh dad isn’t home again, I knew he was doing something important,” said Zebedee.
When he was just 18 years old Len was an automotive mechanic apprentice at the Ford dealership in High River when his boss Jack Denney asked him to join the fire department as a volunteer.
Len did not hesitate, as he knew it was an opportunity to give back to his hometown.
“It was an opportunity to see a different organization and help people,” said Len. “That was a big thing in my mind. It was not what your community could do for you, but you could do for your community.”
He has lived by that motto for the last 38 years.
In the early days Len remembers his black rubber boots, black coat, gloves and plastic helmet were all the equipment provided to the volunteers. He said they did not even have air masks and would walk into a fire with wet rags in their mouths and towels over their noses.
“You would spit black for a week,” he said.
However, the technology and training has improved substantially over the years and because of that Len said he knows his son will be safe.
“If the training had not improved would I want Cody to be a firefighter? Absolutely not,” said Len. “But I have seen the training come so far and that sparked my drive to change things in High River.”
Len became the deputy chief in High River in 1985 and the full-time chief in 1996. The foundation of his tenure has been to bring the department technology and training up-to-date.
Cody said he also understands the importance of training for today’s firefighters because he wants to ensure his teammates are safe and capable.
“You rely on them as your life support,” said Cody. “If something happens you rely on them to get you out and you have to keep them safe.”
For Cody he said he was hooked after he attended his first fire as a volunteer.
“There is something about the adrenaline,” he said. “It is the unknown, you don’t know what is ahead of you.”
Cody said his dad was hard on him when he was a volunteer firefighter, but he said being pushed helped him reach his goal of being a full-time firefighter and follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I am honoured to have him as my dad and to follow behind him; I am very proud,” said Cody.
His father is also proud of his son, but he cannot help but worry as every parent does.
“I worry about him and I know his mother does,” said Len. “When you hear a fire call it is always there, not knowing. You want everyone to come home at night.”
The Zebedees are not the only clan fighting fires in the foothills.
Okotoks fire chief Ken Thevenot can no longer keep an eye on one particular Okotoks volunteer since his 21-year-old son Max has moved to a fulltime position at Heritage Heights.
After three years as a volunteer Max moved to Heritage Heights last month fulfilling his ambition to also follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I am working hard and living my dream,” said Max. “This is what I have always dreamed. There is no better feeling than helping people and serving your community.”
Max said the family talked firefighter almost every night at the dinner table and he looked forward to his father’s stories, but his dad never pushed him to be a fireman.
“I grew up around it,” he said. “I wanted to go to fires with my dad so bad. The job is so diverse, you never know what you are going to face.”
For Ken, he is pleased Max made the decision to join the fire department on his own, but he said he had a feeling fighting fires was what his son wanted to do.
“I could see his excitement and his passion — there was no stopping him,” said Ken. “He has handled everything so well. I am pretty proud of him.
Ken said one of his most treasured moments as a father was when he and his two sons, who were both volunteers, all attended a structure fire when the family still lived in Manitoba.
“It was a pretty special call for me,” he said.
Ken said he realizes being a firefighter is a dangerous job, but Max has the make-up to be an outstanding fireman — a strong will to do the right thing.
“I told him I love my job and when you love your job you can do it the rest of your life. I think he is on the same path.”
