What began as a study aid now supports firefighters nationwide
It鈥檚 said that necessity is the mother of invention, and for Dan Fernandez 鈥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.
鈥淚 hated the office environment,鈥 he admits. 鈥淚t was so stuffy.鈥
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.
鈥淚n the fire department, I wasn鈥檛 tethered to a desk or a cubicle,鈥 he explains. 鈥淚t was fun, let me give back to the community, and allowed me to stay in shape. It was the perfect combination.鈥
This article was posted by the UMGC 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.聽