We have all heard the stories of firefighters rescuing cats from trees, but for probationary firefighter Smith of Sooke Fire Rescue, it became reality on his first day on the job.
Smith completed his National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Level 2 qualification exam on July 4. The next day, his first on probation as a firefighter, he helped rescue Sindy, a black cat, from a tree.
The NFPA level 2 qualification is an 18-week program in which students are introduced to extensive training where they are instructed by more than 80 professional firefighters.
Sindy was safely returned back to its family.