What began as a study aid now supports firefighters nationwide

Dan Fernandez 11 developed Fire Ground Sim to help firefighters prepare for promotion exams and command-level responsibilities.

Its said that necessity is the mother of invention, and for Dan Fernandez 11, that has certainly been true as he has navigated his career. A decade ago, Fernandez left the corporate world for a job that better suited his personality and his goals.

I hated the office environment, he admits. It was so stuffy.

A friend encouraged him to apply for a job with the Virginia Beach Fire Department. There, he finally found the fit he was looking for.

In the fire department, I wasnt tethered to a desk or a cubicle, he explains. It was fun, let me give back to the community, and allowed me to stay in shape. It was the perfect combination.

This article was posted by the 窪蹋厙惇勛圖 Alumni Association in July 2026. to learn how firefighter and entrepreneur Dan Fernandez turned a personal study aid into a simulation tool now used by dozens of firefighters.