At burn training, one Kenosha firefighter lives out a dream

OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It takes training, determination, and even dreams to become a firefighter. Come May 31st, a group of recruits will walk across the stage and to their first fire station.

Each time they step into a burning building, they're prepared for the worst. 

“You get into these situations, and they take a lot of energy, especially as you pull people out," said Dale Howser, a captain paramedic with the Kenosha Fire Department. 

To get to that point, they first have to start at a live simulation fire at MATC's Oak Creek Campus. 

"These are all skills they’ve learned over the last eight weeks," said Howser. 

The simulation gets the Kenosha fire recruits ready for the real world.

"On your worst day, you always revert back to your training and that’s exactly why we do it and what we’re here for," said Vianje Pendelton, a firefighter recruit with the Kenosha Department.

For Pendelton, this is more than just a training. 

"I’m 35 years old, still keeping up with the youngsters," said Pendelton. "I am the oldest in my class, yes.”

This is a dream, decades in the making. 

"You’re out there talking to the community and helping civilians and whatnot. It’s just a very rewarding career," said Pendelton.

Like many kids, Pendelton wanted to be a firefighter. It wasn't until he had kids of his own that he was inspired to put on this gear. 

"Wanted to be something they could look up to and say, ‘that’s my dad,'" said Pendelton. 

Running into a burning building isn't for everyone, but for Pendelton, it's the only thing he wants to be doing. 

"It’s never too late to follow your dreams. Especially if your dream is to be a fireman," said Pendelton.