Springwater resident Anthony Vidiadakis has always had a dream of becoming a firefighter, but a brief chat with a friend while at college piqued another interest a few years ago.
Vidiadakis, 22, was attending Georgian College in 2021, studying pre-service firefighting, when he decided to join the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, a primary reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based out of Barrie and Owen Sound.
“I didn’t know what the reserves were until I met a buddy in college," he told BarrieToday. "He told me about all of the opportunities you could get joining the military on a part-time basis.
"I thought having that kind of a challenge, and that kind of teamwork and camaraderie sounded really exciting,” Vidiadakis added. “Wanting to be a firefighter, I didn’t think I could join the military until I learned about the reserves, which is a part-time commitment.
"As soon as I heard about that opportunity, I submitted an application right away.”
Although he has not seen overseas deployments, Vidiadakis spent two weeks in the Canadian Arctic, when he joined his fellow reservist as part of Operation Nanook-Nunakput in August 2022 in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
“I had never been up north at all. It was a really big chance, but I thought it was awesome," he said. "Getting to work with our unit, use our training and be there as a presence was really cool. I am thankful that I went.
“I have gotten hands-on training that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. It’s been amazing … I love it.”
Vidiadakis also spent eight months working at the Blackdown warehouse at CFB Borden, located about 20 minutes west of Barrie, supporting the cadet organization including their busy summer cadet camp this year.
He has also been a volunteer firefighter with the Springwater fire department, a role which he believes his military training has helped him prepare for.
Versatility and adaptability, he says, are two of the biggest skills he has been able to use in his volunteer role.
“I have a lot of passion and a lot of pride being a soldier and a firefighter. Both organizations require a lot of hard work and I love it. I love getting to serve in both organizations," Vidiadakis said.
