(Tulsa, OK) – The Tulsa Fire Department is replenishing its ranks.  50 cadets are being put through their paces in the department’s latest academy.

One of those cadets is Evan Baker.  Baker tells us he has some relatives that are cops but he’ll be the first fireman in the family.

Baker says the most difficult part of the training so far is the physical part.  He says “They’re big believers in preparing you physically for the job.”

But the department isn’t forgetting about the knowledge the cadets will need once they hit the streets.  Baker says “There’s a lot more to the job than just going into a house fire.  You’ve got to be prepared mentally for anything that comes at you.”

And Baker sees it as more than just a paycheck.  “Everybody out there wants to be a fireman.  It’s a great job.  Everybody wants it and it’s hard to get it and once you have it you want to keep it for life.”

Baker and the 49 other cadets are scheduled to graduate sometime early this fall.