For families like the Canode’s, firefighting isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. The family’s firefighting roots span generations.
“Our family has been in the fire service for four generations,” said Dickinson, ND Local 5150 Fire Fighter Jesse Canode.
His sister, Brooke, is also a Local 5150 fire fighter. Both were inspired by their family’s long history in the fire service, including their grandmother, Barb, a retired fire fighter who was one of the first women in the area to join the Gladstone Fire Department.
Today, siblings Jesse and Brooke proudly carry on a family legacy. Their father, Chad, has served as a fire fighter for four decades, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, also a fire fighter, and Barb, who was an assistant chief.
“It was a new experience, and challenging at first, but I loved every minute of it. I loved my guys,” said Barb, looking back on her time on the job. “When I go back and see how the department has grown and how many women are in it, I’m so proud of that little department.”
Both Jesse and Brooke say their family inspired them to join.
“When I first turned 18, my grandma was a fire fighter, and my dad was a fire fighter,” said Jesse. “I remember being dressed up in fire gear when I was a little kid. As soon as I turned 18 and had the ability to join, I joined our rural department. Eventually, I enjoyed firefighting so much that I decided to join the city and pursue it as a full-time career.”
I remember being dressed up in fire gear when I was a little kid. As soon as I turned 18 and had the ability to join, I joined our rural department. Eventually, I enjoyed firefighting so much that I decided to join the city and pursue it as a full-time career.
Local 5150 fire fighter jesse canode
Brooke later decided to join the fire service after a push from a mentor.
“My lieutenant actually introduced me to the fire academy. I discussed it with my family, and we kind of spiraled down a rabbit hole of the past. That was a huge inspiration,” she said.
This Mother’s Day is special for Brooke, who is about to become a mother herself.
“I’m due on May 10,” said Brooke. “It’s already known around my shift that even on maternity leave, I plan on coming to the gym. Once she’s here, they’ll just take her, and we’ll start building that connection. They’re already calling her their big uncles.”
Barb looks back on how things have changed in the fire service throughout the years.
“Their training is far more intense. They’re in a city department, and we were strictly rural, dealing more with prairie fires. Every now and then we’d have a structure fire, but their training now is so much more in-depth, with EMS and everything. It’s just evolved,” said Barb.
Looking ahead, both Jesse and Brooke hope the Canode family tradition in the fire service continues.
“I would definitely consider raising my kids in the fire service so they can be around it. The fire service is one big family, and we all look out for each other,” said Jesse.
