“Looking back, Belmont College played a critical role in helping me achieve my goals. The certifications I earned opened doors to employment opportunities across the fire service, giving me the qualifications needed to work at virtually any department.” – Alex Gazdik, Captain, Cumberland Trail Fire District #4
Serving the community has always been a driving force in my life, and that commitment led me to pursue a career in fire and emergency medical services. As a native of St. Clairsville, Ohio, I found a clear and practical pathway to that goal through Belmont College, where I was able to gain the certifications and experience necessary to succeed in this demanding field.
My journey at Belmont included completing the Ohio Volunteer Firefighter course in 2015, followed by Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 transition courses in 2020 and 2021. At the same time, I enrolled in the Emergency Medical Services Paramedic program from August 2020 to December 2021. Prior to that, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from The Ohio State University. Thanks to Belmont’s flexibility, I was able to transfer credits and earn an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medicine Paramedic without taking additional courses outside of the core paramedic curriculum.
I was initially drawn to Belmont College because my employer required these certifications, and the college offered a cost-effective option close to home. Another major advantage was the ability to attend classes while on duty, which made balancing work and school much more manageable.
During this time, I was working full time as a firefighter while completing both firefighter and paramedic courses simultaneously. In the middle of it all, I also purchased my first home with my fiancée, who is now my wife. Balancing work, school, and personal life was my biggest challenge, but I managed it by setting clear priorities and maintaining open communication at home. Making time for my wife and myself outside of work and school was essential, and her support played a huge role in helping me push through a very demanding period.
Today, I serve as a Captain at Cumberland Trail Fire District #4 in Saint Clairsville, where I act as a shift supervisor responsible for daily operations. In addition, I work part time as the Fire Program Manager at Belmont College, where I schedule, oversee, and manage firefighter courses while helping students meet state certification requirements. I also continue to use my background in athletic training as the Athletic Trainer for Harrison Central High School, where I diagnose, rehabilitate, and help prevent injuries for student-athletes.
Looking back, Belmont College played a critical role in helping me achieve my goals. The certifications I earned opened doors to employment opportunities across the fire service, giving me the qualifications needed to work at virtually any department.
For current and future students, my advice is simple: never give up on yourself. With hard work and determination, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Belmont College offers the flexibility to pursue your education while maintaining a full-time job and personal life. Having been both a student and now part of the program, I understand the challenges and I can confidently say that the support system at Belmont is there to help you succeed every step of the way.