I was born and raised in Truro, and have always enjoyed helping people. Following a serious motorcycle accident in 2017, I knew I wanted to be a first responder. After living in Bedford for a couple of years and moving back to Truro in 2020, I decided to follow in my Grandfather Tommy “Tomcat” MacNaughton’s footsteps and join the Truro Volunteer Fire Brigade. If I can make it anywhere close to the 60+ years that he put in, I will consider it an honour. 

Since becoming a member in February 2021, I have completed all my County Level 1 courses, HAZMAT Awareness Certification, and received my Black Helmet in May 2022. I am currently working towards HAZMAT Operations, and look forward to MFR, as well as Firefighter 1 & 2 certifications. 

If I have any advice for the new people coming behind me, it is to never stop learning. Take every opportunity given to you, and you will go far in the service. Become the firefighter that you want to be, not the one that others want you to be. At the end of the day, slow down, and take a moment to look around, you’ll be surprised at what you see.

Thomas MacNaughton