16-year-old Gerry McAdam chose to dedicate his Make-A-Wish Foundation gift to supporting his local fire station. CTV News
When 16-year-old Gerry McAdam from Hemmingford, Quebec, was granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he had no idea how to use it. Gerry, who is battling sarcoma, a rare form of tissue cancer, had the chance to ask for anything he wanted. However, instead of focusing on his own needs, he chose to help others. Gerry’s wish was not just any typical wish—it was a heartfelt decision to build a firefighting training centre in his small town.
Hemmingford, a community of just 2,000 people located about an hour south of Montreal, lacks the facilities for proper training for local firefighters. Gerry’s dream is to change that by creating a space where firefighters, especially rookies, can learn essential skills without having to travel long distances. Firefighters in the area currently have to drive over an hour to reach training centres, which limits their opportunities for hands-on learning.
Gerry’s fascination with firefighting started at a very young age. He recalls going on calls with his father, Chris McAdam, who has always been involved in firefighting. At just four years old, Gerry dressed up as a firefighter for Halloween and refused to take off his costume for days. His passion for the job only grew from there, and by the time he was old enough, he began training with rookies at the local station. Gerry is now an active member of the fire service, where he assists with tasks such as pulling hoses and finding tools.
Chris McAdam shared a memory of Gerry’s early interest in firefighting, showing a picture of his son at a young age in full firefighter gear. “He refused to take it off,” Chris said, laughing. “He was walking around for a few days in that outfit.” As a young boy, Gerry even tried breaking his first car window to practice for car crash responses, a standard skill for firefighters.
Now, at 16, Gerry is determined to build a proper training facility in Hemmingford, ensuring that future firefighters won’t have to travel far for essential training. The training centre will focus on critical skills like search and rescue, ventilation techniques, and building entry, which are essential for real-life firefighting situations. According to Fire Chief Neil Lamb, this facility will be invaluable for the community. “It’s something that the community needs,” he said. “We don’t have availability to do a lot of training around here.”
The estimated cost for the new training site is around $80,000. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has already pledged $8,000 to the project and is helping with fundraising. Firefighters from Halifax, Nova Scotia, have also contributed to the cause. Despite his ongoing chemotherapy treatments, Gerry’s determination to see this project through remains strong. His parents are in awe of his unwavering drive. “He hasn’t slowed down at all, if anything he’s probably sped up,” said his father.
Gerry’s decision to use his wish for the benefit of others has deeply impressed his community. Fire Chief Lamb expressed his admiration, saying, “He could have done other stuff for himself. To turn it over, to help us, the fire service and the communities around is amazing.”
