7 Year Old Jesse Santerre. Courage, Inspiration…Firefighter

7 Year Old Jesse Santerre. Courage, Inspiration…Firefighter - A group of people posing for the camera - Erika Olivera
Seven-year old Jesse Santerre poses with firefighters from Station 21 in Islamorada. Santerre, who’s battling cancer, came down to spend the weekend with them. Pictured from the left are Jason Oyman, James Ruggles, Erica Olivera, Jesse, Mike Hampson, Fire Chief Terry Abel and James Greffeth.

With his firefighter uniform on, seven-year-old Jesse Santerre was all smiles as his day with fellow comrades at Station 21 began Saturday morning.  

“This is awesome,” Santerre said as he walked around the station. “I’m a firefighter.”

Santerre, who’s battling cancer, had his dream come true as he stopped by the fire station to enjoy a day full of fun as a firefighter. He began his day by completing his firefighter physical agility test. According to Fire Chief Terry Abel, Jesse was phenomenal at it. 

“He did some practical skills putting out some fire with our training house,” Abel said. “Then he met all the firefighters, took his oath and got badged and pinned and all that good stuff.”

Santerre had the opportunity to hop in the ladder truck for some area familiarization. He later went with firefighters to Robbies where they fed tarpon. They also went to Mangrove Mike’s and Theater at the Sea. 

“We’re going to have a great time in the community,” Abel said. “It’s definitely a pleasure to do this with Jesse.”

Santerre and family spent the night Saturday before finishing off their day Sunday with firefighters. 

Young Jesse Santerre spent last weekend with firefighters from Station 21 in Islamorada. Santerre, who’s battling cancer, went through some training and enjoyed a whole day’s worth of activities. Contributed
Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.