Alicia Mathis ’92

When Captain Alicia Mathis ’92 joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department, she didn’t see many female mentors, so she knows what it’s like to have to make your own way in tough circumstances. Over the course of her 18-year career, Mathis has aspired to change that. Mathis’ original idea was to introduce the fire service to high school students, but the project she founded grew far beyond her own expectations.

Seven years ago, Mathis established a fire academy that has trained students to enter a variety of fire service as emergency medical technicians, paramedics and fire fighters. She has seen callow, inexperienced kids transform into responsible, hard-working, driven young adults. The academy has given these kids a chance for a positive future that they may not have had otherwise.

Over the years, the Los Angeles Harbor College F.I.R.E. Academy has grown and flourished. It began with a small group of high school students and was funded partially with Mathis’ and Chief Lee McPherson’s own money. Last year, the academy received a $50,000 grant from American Honda Motor Co., Inc., graduated 103 cadets and welcomed LAFD Chief Doug Barry as its commencement speaker.

The F.I.R.E. Academy is offered free to students from Narbonne High School, Gardena High School, Harbor Teacher Prep Academy, Banning High School, Carson High School and San Pedro High School. The academy provides cadets an introduction to the fire service, teaches basic fire skills and instills knowledge that cadets can use throughout their lives, such as discipline, responsibility, teamwork, respect and organization. Mathis believes that cadets gain confidence and a sense of belonging, providing many of the students experiencing adversities a positive alternative to gang life.

The F.I.R.E. Academy also has a working relationship with the Los Angeles City Fire Explorer program and many of the leadership cadets are LAFD Explorers. Most of he instructors at the F.I.R.E. Academy have had many years of experience in the fire service.

As one of the few women in the Los Angeles Fire Department, Mathis serves as a strong, confidant and successful mentor to young cadets.
 
The F.I.R.E Academy has helped shape the lives of the young cadets from adverse backgrounds, such as Omar Estrada. A leadership cadet, he has volunteered many hours to help run and improve the academy. He is currently working with Gerber Ambulance Company, is a fire intern with Compton Fire Department, and will be attending paramedic school this year with the help of LAFD.  He lives on 204th Street in Harbor Gateway which is known for housing one of the most notorious gangs. Some of Estrada’s friends are gang members, and his life is surrounded by violence.

Mathis once asked Estrada what made him stay out of the gang and advance his life, and he replied, “You happened.” It was then that Mathis realized that the struggles that she had experienced were all worthwhile and it motivated her to continue her endeavor.

Another cadet, Dallas Knocke, arrived for his first day of class with his T-shirt hanging over his pants and his long hair falling forward.

“Dallas had to do many push ups,” Mathis recalls. “I felt compassion for him and his inexperience, and thought that he might not last beyond the first few days of the academy.”

Many might have been tempted to write off Knocke’s chances.  His young life had been filled with hardships. His father had left when Knocke was still an infant, and his mother was in prison for drug use. Knocke’s older brother had been left to raise him. But when graduation day finally arrived, Knocke graduated as one of the top cadets and received one of three scholarships awarded that day.

“His face beamed as he walked up to receive his scholarship plaque,” Mathis says, “and I relished his pride.”

Whether or not F.I.R.E. Academy cadets continue on to a career in the fire service, Mathis is certain that the program is making a difference to the community.