Fire Academy graduate perseveres through loss and new beginnings

In the next few weeks, South Texas College graduate William Hurtado will embark on a journey of service and selflessness as he becomes a certified firefighter.

Graduating as part of STC’s Fire Academy Class 35, Hurtado celebrates the end of a rigorous, 16-week journey during which he persevered through challenges and triumphs, balancing the joy of welcoming his third child with the heartbreak of losing his father.

“When people asked me why I wanted to be a firefighter, my response always was, ‘I want to serve my community,’ but it goes deeper than that,” he said. “It’s about being part of something bigger than myself. As the Bible says, ‘There is no greater love than this: to lay down your life for somebody else.’”

At 34, Hurtado graduates as the oldest in his class, boldly redefining his future after years of following in the footsteps of his father Ricardo Hurtado, a founding member of the iconic music group Super Llama, who passed away in early November after more than 20 years of battling cancer.

“My focus was always on music. My siblings and I all wanted to follow in his footsteps and be just like him, and for many years that’s what I did,” he said.

Hurtado developed a deep passion for music from a young age and like his father, he became both a musician and producer, while also expanding his creative horizons by pursuing graphic design at a local college.

Years later, after meeting his future wife and her father, a retired Marine, Hurtado was deeply inspired by the values of service and sacrifice embodied by his father-in-law.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the bold decision to pivot his career, choosing a path where he could make a meaningful difference.

“Getting married and having my children didn’t necessarily change my dreams, but it changed my priorities and what was important to me,” he explained. “With so many people getting sick and passing away during the pandemic, 2020 opened my eyes. It made me realize that I care for more than just myself.”

Hurtado then made the decision to pursue a career in public safety, applying to several police and fire departments. He also changed his eating and exercise habits, preparing for the physically demanding career ahead.

“I started doing Jiu-Jitsu, eating better and taking better care of myself because I knew I wanted to do something physical,” he said. “I’m glad I prepared myself. It was humbling coming back to school in my 30s next to some of my classmates who are coming straight out of school.”

This past summer, he was finally hired by the Pharr Fire Department, which sponsored his entry into STC’s Fire Academy, the best motivator for him on his new path.

“It’s been hard. This is mentally and physically draining. There were times early on when I wanted to quit, but by the time our ultimate live fire test came around, I was amazed at how far I had come,” he said. “This isn’t for everyone. I had a completely different idea of what training to be a firefighter would be, and it’s nothing like I expected. However, if you really want it, nothing can stop you.”

A dedicated husband and father of three, including a two-month-old, Hurtado is eager to graduate early next month, take his certification exam and soon after begin his career with the city of Pharr.

He is also motivated to continue his education at STC, pursuing an associate degree in Fire Science online to further his expertise and service.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend STC. Learning that we were the first class to use STC’s state-of-the-art two-story training building was a huge honor, especially when we constantly hear from firefighters who come to help train us that they wish they had this when they started,” he said. “We’re truly getting the best training, and now we’re ready for anything. I hope one day I can come back and help support future generations of firefighters.”

For more information on STC’s Fire Science program and public safety training offered at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence, visit southtexascollege.edu/rcpse/ or call 956-872-4208.