COLORADO—“They are like our sons,” said El Yunque National Forest Sawyer Carlos Pizarro about Flatwoods Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students Feredinand “Fred” Nizigiyimana, Nickevious “Nick” Phillips, Otis Murphy and Tristan Twomey.

Supervised by Crew Boss Salvador “Sal” Benabe and Crew Boss Trainee Jake Swift, these students joined the El Yunque National Forest Interagency Fire Crew on a 14-day deployment on Sequoia National Forest to support fuels abatement work.

Through a standing partnership, the El Yunque crew, also known as Puerto Rico Crew 21, opens up slots on their Type 2 Initial Attack Crew for Job Corps students. In turn, Job Corps supplies additional overhead for PR Crew 21 modules.

In September, PR Crew 21 reported to the Type 1 Aspen Fire, where they spiked out for five days. “I had low expectations, but these kids proved me wrong,” said Pizarro. “I love how we can teach them how to be physically, mentally, and psychologically strong and they apply it to action right away. They are strong and they are smart.”

At one point, the fire was running and Type 1 helicopters were dropping retardant. The crew backed out, which surprised the students, but it eventually reengaged. Each student experienced the event differently but put the lessons they learned from the PR21 members to work.

“My bag was heavy, and it was hard digging line right near the fire,” said Nizigiyimana “My ears were burning but the El Yunque guys showed us how to put gloves over our ears. The fire was burning so hot —I was scared but my leaders were calm, so I was too.”

For his part, Twomey learned the value of supportive colleagues. “We’re digging line and the first hour I’m handling it, but midway I’m crushed,” he shares. “I was giving everything, but I felt like I wasn’t giving anything.” Twomey broke down at one point. “My squad boss said if I was down, he’d pick me up, he’d be there for me every step of the way. And he was,” said Twomey.  “I finished strong.”

Pizarro uses tactical engagements to teach the students life lessons beyond fighting fire. “The students learned that if you give up on the little things, you give up on the big things too,” he said. “It was a life lesson about jobs and about relationships.”

Phillips and Murphy echo theme of validation, trust, and interdependence. “I wanted to run away I was so scared,” Phillips said. “But I was with my team, so I couldn’t, and our leaders were calm.” Laughing, Swift reminded Phillips that “Yeah, leaving wasn’t an option.”

“The first day I couldn’t breathe with all that smoke in my face and I left the line,” said Murphy. “My crew boss, Sal Benabe, reminded me he knew what he was doing and he didn’t bring me here to get hurt. I trusted him.”

The Flatwoods students were initially drawn to the fire program because of the opportunity to earn good money, travel and excitement. Pride in their achievements as part of the PR21 crew can now be added to that list.

“Tell my mom I’m doing good, making her proud” said Nizigiyimana.

“I went out there and fought fire,” said Murphy.

Leading by example, PR Crew 21 members showed the students the meaning of family. Individuals hailing from Africa, Puerto Rico and the mainland working as ADs, career employees or students, coalesced.

“Their (PR Crew 21) end state is where I want to be—they showed me how to go about it, said Twomey. “They are my father figures.”

The ever-deepening partnership between Flatwoods Job Corps CCC and Puerto Rico Crew 21 reflects the ideals the agency aspires to fulfill and the best ideas of “This is who we are.”