Mentorship Built on Real Experience
Hook & Ladder is built from firsthand firefighter-recruitment and operational experience. We understand the challenges because we have lived them ourselves.
Our Real-World Experience
Our real-world experience, current industry knowledge, and structured hiring-readiness process help aspiring firefighters organize stronger applications, prepare deliberately, and move forward with a clearer plan.
Practical Fire-Service Experience
Guidance grounded in firsthand firefighter-recruitment and operational experience.
We Understand the Challenges
We understand the challenges because we have lived through demanding training, applications, and competitive recruitments.
Up-to-Date Industry Knowledge
We use current official sources to help candidates verify hiring standards and recruitment requirements.
Structured Readiness System
A documented process designed to help candidates prepare deliberately and act on a clearer plan.
Meet The Founder
Founder Story
My name is Eric Hurtubise, I know what it's like to be in your shoes, because I was.
Like many aspiring firefighters, I graduated from a Firefighter Pre-Service Program believing that a diploma, a few certifications, and a strong work ethic would be enough to land a career position. It wasn't.
Over the years that followed, I worked full-time night shift at a lumber yard, served as a volunteer firefighter, landed a position as a Senior Fire Prevention Officer, I was Deputy Community Management Coordinator, and I volunteered weekly at the local hospital, all at the same time. I spent the little time off that I had taking courses, studying, and still managed to work out 4-5 days per week.
Despite the effort, the results weren't coming. Recruitment after recruitment ended in disappointment.
The reality was simple: hard work wasn't the problem. Proper planning, and execution were.
Everything changed when we got a new Fire Chief at the volunteer fire department I worked for. He mentored me and helped me understand what fire departments were actually looking for. He gave strong advice on what I should or shouldn't do for high return on investment in my progression towards being a full-time firefighter.
Instead of guessing, I finally had a plan. From that point forward, every certification, every volunteer opportunity, every interview, every application, and every career decision had a purpose.
That strategy eventually led to a career as a Canadian Armed Forces Firefighter. I was posted in Nova Scotia as a Regular Force Firefighter at the 14 Wing Greenwood Air Base. I held two part-time jobs in Halifax on my days off from work, which was 1.5 hours away. I worked at a Standby Rescue company, and as an Instructor at the Nova Scotia Fire School. I eventually got promoted and posted to Victoria, British Columbia, to be a Lead Instructor at the Naval Fleet School. My job there was to train everybody from military cooks to Naval Warfare Officers on how to conduct firefighting operations aboard Canadian warships. Ultimately, after 10 years of graduating from pre-service, I began a municipal firefighting career in Ontario.
Why Hook & Ladder Was Created
Hook & Ladder was created because too many aspiring firefighters are still making the same mistakes I made.
They're working hard. They're spending money on certifications. They're applying everywhere. They're doing everything they think they're supposed to do.
But without a clear strategy, their effort can become scattered and difficult to evaluate.
That's where Hook & Ladder comes in. Today, Hook & Ladder exists to help aspiring firefighters stop guessing and start executing.
The Hook & Ladder Core Program brings planning, application support, interview preparation, and accountability into one coordinated six-month mentorship.
Because becoming a firefighter isn't just about working harder. It's about knowing what matters most—and taking the right actions at the right time.
We make the plan. You execute.
The plan is structured. The execution remains yours.
Hook & Ladder, Out.
We make the plan. You execute.
Your future self will thank you. Hook & Ladder, Out.