Charlotte Fire Recruit's Journey Fueled by Gratitude and Determination

With eyes set on the future, Nicolas Adade stands at the threshold of his dream. His journey from witnessing firefighters save his mother’s life to joining their ranks has been one of determination, resilience, and purpose.

By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire  

For Charlotte Fire Recruit Nicolas Adade, the decision to become a firefighter was deeply personal. It wasn’t just about the challenge, the camaraderie, or the call to serve—it was about gratitude. The night his mother’s life was saved by firefighters, his own path was set in motion.  

It happened shortly after his family moved to the Charlotte area from Michigan when he was sixteen. In the middle of the night, Nicolas was startled awake by a loud crash followed by his mother’s scream. Panic set in as he and his brothers rushed to her room to find her experiencing a medical emergency. As the only stable figure in their lives at the time, their mother was their anchor, and seeing her in distress sent the household into chaos.  

“All I remember is calling 9-1-1 and trying to calm my brothers down,” Nicolas recalled. “Then the firefighters arrived.”

A moment of gratitude and reflection—Nicolas Adade and his mother share a bond strengthened by resilience and support.  

With remarkable precision and a calming presence, the firefighters assessed the situation, stabilized his mother, and prepared her for transport to the hospital. As young Nicolas stood back and watched, his fear was slowly replaced by something else: admiration.  

“I knew right then and there—I want to do that. I want to be able to provide someone that same comfort in their darkest moment.”  

That moment was the beginning of a years-long journey that would eventually lead him to the doors of the Charlotte Fire Department’s recruit academy.

The fireground is where skill meets courage. Nicolas Adade stands ready, knowing that every call is an opportunity to make a difference.  

Nicolas’s path to the fire service was not a direct one. After high school, he found himself working as an apartment maintenance technician, handling work orders and fixing air conditioning units. It was a steady job, but something was missing. That night from his past—the night he watched firefighters bring calm to a crisis—never left him.  

“I kept thinking about it,” he said. “I wanted to do something with a more direct impact. Something that could change people’s lives the way those firefighters changed mine.”  

He began researching how to become a firefighter, but the process wasn’t easy. It took him multiple attempts to get into the recruit academy. Each time he wasn’t accepted, he doubled down on his determination, refining his approach, staying physically fit, and sharpening his knowledge of the fire service.

Determined and focused, Nicolas Adade prepares for the next stage of his firefighting journey.  

“I didn’t make it in at first,” he admitted. “But I never gave up. The moment the applications opened again, I applied, and finally, I got in.”  

For Nicolas, becoming a firefighter wasn’t just about fulfilling a dream—it was about representation. Growing up, he had never seen Black firefighters in his community. He was the first in his family to pursue the fire service, and he understood what that meant for others watching his journey.  

“When I was younger, I didn’t see Black firefighters,” he said. “Now, I see people of color in every rank at Charlotte Fire, and that means something. It’s important for young men and women from my community to see that this is an option for them.”

The fireground is where skill meets courage. Nicolas Adade stands ready, knowing that every call is an opportunity to make a difference.  

He hopes his journey will inspire others, particularly in the African American community, to consider firefighting as a career.  

“This is another way for me to give back,” he said. “By being here, by doing this, I hope I’m paving the way for others.”  

As a recruit, Nicolas quickly learned that the fire service is more than just a job—it’s a family.

Charlotte Fire Recruits Michael Allegrati, Nicolas Adade, Joseph Burch, and Dustin Arney—brothers in training, soon to be brothers in service.  

“This is a brotherhood and sisterhood,” he said. “It’s a second family. We see each other on our best days and our worst days. We go through things together that most people don’t understand.”  

The academy pushed him to his limits. The physical training was grueling, and the mental toughness required was unlike anything he had experienced before. But he found strength in his instructors, particularly Captain Gordon, who challenged the recruits but also instilled confidence in them.  

“They push us because they believe in us,” Nicolas said. “They know we can be better, stronger, more competent firefighters. Charlotte is looking for aggressive, competent firefighters, and that’s exactly what they’re shaping us into.”

Gear in hand and ready to serve—every lesson learned in training will soon be put to the test in the real world.  

Through the blood, sweat, and exhaustion, Nicolas formed unbreakable bonds with his fellow recruits. They trained together, supported each other, and held one another accountable. As graduation neared, the excitement was mixed with a bittersweet feeling.  

“I’ve built a family here with my classmates,” he said. “I’ve made friendships I won’t forget. It’s going to be tough leaving them, but we all know we’re about to do the job we’ve trained for. We’re ready.”  

As Nicolas graduates and earns his badge, he’s eager to step into his new role and serve the community that gave him his calling. He understands the weight of the responsibility he carries, but he embraces it with pride.

Steady under pressure, Nicolas Adade listens intently, knowing that every moment in training shapes the firefighter he is becoming.  

“We see things most people don’t see. We deal with situations that are tough, but we do it for the people,” he said. “If I can provide comfort to someone on their worst day, then I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.”  

For Nicolas Adade, this journey isn’t just about becoming a firefighter. It’s about honoring those who inspired him, representing those who look up to him, and, most importantly, being there when someone needs him—just like those firefighters were there for his mother that night so many years ago.

Surrounded by his fellow recruits and training captain, Nicolas Adade stands with Charlotte Fire Recruit Class 130, ready to take on the challenges of the fire service.

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