Toronto firefighter legacy: He wants to carry on a family tradition

Liam Coles, 20, is training to join Toronto Fire Services as the third generation in his family after his father and grandfather, both of whom died from work-related cancers.

Liam Coles noticed uniformed Toronto firefighters at his convocation and recognized them as his late father’s crew. He is 20 and has completed a pre-service firefighter course at Georgian College and is now enrolled in fire prevention at Durham College. Coles wants to follow his father and grandfather into Toronto Fire Services and says Station 331 is his first choice. His father and grandfather both served long careers in the service and died months apart from cancers linked to their work. Key facts: - Coles was joined at his graduation by uniformed members of his late father’s crew, which he said was meaningful to him. - He completed the pre-service firefighter course at Georgian College and is midway through a fire prevention program at Durham College. - His father, Sean Coles, served 24 years with Toronto fire and rose to the rank of captain; he died on June 12, 2024 after a cancer diagnosis. - Eight months later, on Feb. 12, Coles’s grandfather, Brian Coles, also died from cancer linked to his time in the fire service. - A 2022 study is cited noting that firefighters can face higher exposure to carcinogenic substances and elevated cancer risk. Summary: Coles remains in school and is preparing for the physical and selection demands of a firefighting career while keeping a family connection to Station 331. The timeline for when he might join Toronto Fire Services is undetermined at this time.