Olvera brothers find their passion in firefighting and now as instructors at GTCC

“Luis and my goal was to always end up at GTCC because it’s such a great fire program. Most every firefighter in Guilford County has taken or continues to take classes at GTCC."

Ready to start in the workforce after graduating from Southeast Guilford High School in 2011, Luis Olvera was soon working in restaurants. Then one day as he was looking for directions, his career path took a major turn. It was a career he later convinced his younger brother Gerardo he’d also enjoy.

“I accidentally ended up at the Alamance Community Fire Department one day asking for directions and one of the firefighters invited me to come for a ride along the next day,” said Luis. “The next thing I know, I was signing up for classes, they had gear for me and showing me how to work a radio as a volunteer. After getting on as a volunteer, I knew I wanted to work in a city and work in the fire department as my career.”

Luis began in the Winston-Salem Fire Academy in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. In December 2024, he was promoted to captain. In the meantime, while working full-time, he’s also earned his associate degree in fire protection from Central Piedmont Community College and his bachelor's degree in fire and emergency services administration from Fayetteville State University.

In 2014, during Luis’ time as a volunteer firefighter at Alamance Community Fire Department, he encouraged his brother Gerardo to come on as a volunteer. Gerardo was starting his senior year at Southeast Guilford High School and aspired to join the military.

“In high school I was more interested in joining the military when I graduated because I was in ROTC, but then my brother became interested in firefighting and introduced me,” shared Gerardo.

Gerardo quickly fell in love with the industry, too, and joined his brother in becoming a full-time firefighter, seeing it as an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“Once I graduated high school, I started the fire academy at GTCC in August. At the time, I didn’t want to go to college, I wanted to go straight into the workforce, but it was a really good program and since I was already volunteering with the Alamance Community Fire Department it was free for me to attend. The fire department provided my gear and GTCC provided the training, so it made sense financially.”

After finishing the GTCC Fire Academy with no debt, Gerardo landed a full-time role with the High Point Fire Department, where he’s been for eight years and works as a fire equipment operator. While working full-time, he earned his associate degree in fire protection from Central Piedmont Community College in 2021, and just this May, completed his bachelor’s in emergency management from Western Carolina University.

“My career in High Point has been good. There is always new technology and something new to learn. The training never stops. I enjoy working with people in the community, making their days happy. It’s been a great career and given me the structure that I wanted from the military like uniforms, standards, and ranks.”

Having fallen in love with the strong sense of community that the firefighting family embodies, the brothers felt there was more they could do. This is where GTCC comes back into the picture for Gerardo. And this time he nudged his big brother to follow along and give teaching a shot.

“Luis and my goal was to always end up at GTCC because it’s such a great fire program. Most every firefighter in Guilford County has taken or continues to take classes at GTCC.

“Me going to GTCC as a 17-year-old, I saw that this place was awesome and to see it grow is incredible. The folks that come out of the GTCC Fire Academy and other fire programs here really know what they’re doing.”

In 2023, Luis and Gerardo were hired by GTCC as instructors to teach a variety of classes within the fire academy, high school fire academy and more.

However, due to their different schedules at their respective fire departments they had never taught together until GTCC recently hosted 21 firefighters from Mexico for training, with the organization Programa Mayday.

The duo, who are originally from Mexico, worked for nine months to prepare the specialized training for Programa Mayday, a weeklong International Fire Pump Operations Training (IFPOT) class but built for the specific needs of departments in Mexico. Gerardo explained how important the prep was prior to the firefighters traveling to North Carolina.

“They sent us pictures of their equipment and their infrastructure so we were able to design the class completely on the equipment and environment they’re working in. Our goal was to teach them things they could go home and use right away. One of the challenges in firefighting in Mexico, is there are no programs like GTCC or other fire academies that teach classes and standard techniques.

“They’re taking back what they learned at GTCC to other firefighters in Mexico. Now they have a standard, a baseline. It’s going to change the way they operate there. That’s what I love about GTCC,” added Gerardo.

The firefighters drove over 1,500 miles from Mexico (each way) and paid for their training at GTCC and immediately used what they learned when they returned home.

“To them American firefighters are like the major leaguers,” said Luis. “So, they’re following what we do. They look very highly upon American firefighters. When they come up here and see how we operate, they mimic the way they operate back in Mexico.”

After finally getting to teach together for a week straight, Luis was shocked to realize how similar he and his brother are.

“It was weird teaching with Gerardo, but I realized that we do have the same teaching style even though we’ve never worked together. We used the same techniques. I realized we’re a lot alike!”

Matt Thorpe, GTCC’s director of fire occupational extension program, hired the brothers in 2023 and knew they would be perfect for the program.

“Luis and Gerardo’s dedication to service, both locally and internationally, is a reflection of the highest ideals of what GTCC stands for,” shared Thorpe. “Their inspiring journey, from humble beginnings to respected instructors, not only motivates our students but also reinforces the legacy of excellence within GTCC's fire programs. We are grateful for their service and the influence they have on our students.”

And the duo isn’t quite done looking for their next endeavor together. They both hope to start their Master of Public Administration soon.

“I think it would be pretty cool to work on our master’s together, our goal is to graduate together. Something we can share, and our parents can see,” said Luis.