Mike Colón Media

An update on my life and where things stand

Friday, June 13, 2025. The end of Week 16 of a 23 week intensive fire training in New Haven, Connecticut. As circumstances would have it, it would also unfortunately mark the end of my tenure at the academy as a member of the New Haven Fire Department’s 65th Recruit Class.

To take you back a bit and add context, I had started the academy on February 18th of this year. A six month program, the New Haven Fire Academy’s academic regiment consists of education in EMS for the purpose of becoming a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), HazMat operations, and of course Firefighter Level 1 and 2. After successful completion and certification of the first two levels, I was onto Fire 1 and 2.

It was a physical struggle. It’s no secret that firefighting is a physically demanding job. Still even at 135 pounds, I felt as long as I showed heart I could defy whatever physical limitations I may have and push through to the end. It was sadly not to be.

While there were some moments where I performed just fine, there were others where despite my best efforts, training evolutions were difficult to complete. Even then, I had no intention of quitting and remained determined to put the necessary work in to be successful. After all, heading into the home stretch of the academy with the finish line in sight, quitting was in no way an option. Why would it be? Too much work had gone into this and as a friend told me, there was a pot of gold waiting at the end of all of this.

That brings us back to Friday, June 13. Such was my mindset as I was getting ready to begin an evolution involving hose stretches when I was told to take off my firefighting gear and change into my regular recruit uniform. I was heading to the Chief’s Office.

Long story short, due to the concerns expressed by leadership about my physical capabilities to perform, I was told I would not be able to move forward in the academy, ending for now at least, the goal of being a line firefighter. For starters, let me just say I have the utmost respect for the leadership staff of the New Haven Fire Department and in no way hold any ill will towards them. The same goes for my instructors at the academy. I’m a better person for having crossed paths with them. With that said, there’s two ways to look at this situation. On one hand, I can mope, take on the “woah is me” mentality and slink into a corner to lick my wounds.

Or, I can use and see this experience for what it really is: an invaluable lesson that’s only going to shape me for the better and motivate me to continue to work hard and achieve goals that aren’t that far from reach. I choose the latter. I do not regret for a second applying for the job as a New Haven Firefighter. What I learned and saw in my near 5-month stint at the academy only enhanced my appreciation and love of the fire service. It truly takes a special person to do this job and those who make the cut are awarded a distinction in life that no one can ever take away. Unfortunately for me, it is a distinction I wasn’t able to earn, but as one member of the department’s leadership staff told me, just because it isn’t my time right now does not mean it won’t be my time in the future.

In the meantime, I plan to keep busy and there’s plenty to be occupied with. I’ve applied for a position as a 911 dispatcher, we shall see what awaits me there. Now a certified EMT, I plan to put that to good use, learning the street as a volunteer and gaining the critical insight needed to properly work emergency calls. Strength wise, I can’t sit around. Another key step that will be taken is to consult with a nutritionist, get on the right diet and finally build the muscle I’ve been missing. Eventually as well, I do want to attain my Firefighter 1 and 2 certification through a college course or whatever other means may arise.

Though I’m eager, what this bump in the road has taught me is to slow down. I’m 25 years old. There’s far more ahead for me and there’s no rush on these goals. They will be achieved so long as I remember that as with anything in life, it is a marathon not a sprint.

Journalistically, you can expect the Mic’d In New Haven Podcast to return in July and with it soon, the release of my second book Police, Don’t Move! The NYPD Investigations You Should Know About. Like I said, plenty to keep me busy. Thank you all for your support and stay tuned for what the future brings. In struggle, there is resilience and I can assure you all, I will show resilience, keep resolve, and gain strength. After all, it’s gotten me this far!