Meet Hunter R. McConnel, a career Lieutenant of 7 years at the North Star Fire Department in North Pole, Alaska, who would like to thank the Edmonds School District CTE Program for leading him to this rewarding career.

“I attended the Fall 2001/Spring 2002 Fire Fighting Class offered through the Edmonds School District Career and Technical Education Department. Through the instruction of this class I learned about the fire service, the positives, the pit falls and the sense of family that you would never experience in any other career field. My vocational training in this program, and instructors, helped me find the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which then led to a flourishing fire career. Currently I have responded to 1800+ emergencies in the North Pole area. I instruct the Fire Hydraulics/Water Supply systems at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and I instruct for the State of Alaska in native villages throughout Alaska. I have won many awards for my dedication to the Fire Department, not to mention I make $60,000 a year (small benefit). Had I never attended the Fire Fighting Program taught by Jim McGaughey, I would never have thought of fire service as a viable career option. Now I consider the time spent in that fire station classroom some of the most pivotal and important months of my life, thanks to quality instruction, passion for an outstanding career, and the eagerness displayed by the instructors to help us young folks start a fulfilling career in fire service. In conclusion, I would like to thank the Edmonds School District Career and Technical Education Department for launching me head first in to a most rewarding career.”