ATTRACTING ETHNIC CANDIDATES TO RANKS FIRE DEPARTMENT REDEFINING ITSELF FOR COMMUNITY.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Patrick Hambarchian and Sevak Karapetyan's parents were not exactly thrilled when their boys made the decision to become firefighters.

It's a dangerous job, their parents said. It's not a prestigious career. It doesn't pay enough.

So the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce stepped in to pay the $2,500 to put them through the one-year program at the Glendale Arroyo Seco Fire Academy.

``With this scholarship, we can help Armenian parents and kids understand that there is no stigma to be attached to careers in fire or police,'' said Armen Janian of the Armenian chamber.

``We want Armenians to know it's a very rewarding career financially, and, more important than that, it's rewarding because they are helping the community.''

Once Hambarchian and Karapetyan graduate from the academy, they will be state certified firefighters. In order to become Glendale firefighters, they would need to attend another fire academy.

The Glendale Fire Department, which has no Armenian firefighters, finds itself coming up against Armenian families' perceptions of what constitutes an ``acceptable'' career, Capt. Carlos Guerrero said.

``We're having difficulty recruiting Armenians and Koreans and reaching them as far as having them consider the fire department as a professional career,'' Guerrero said. ``These two young gentlemen are the trailblazers. We're hoping they're successful in their endeavor and will be role models to other Armenian kids.''

Karapetyan said his parents initially struggled with perceptions of firemen they carried over from Armenia, where the profession does not inspire respect.

``When I told them I was thinking about it, they weren't too happy about it,'' said Karapetyan, 20. ``After I told them about it more and made them see the difference between fire departments here and in Armenia, they've become more flexible. Since they see how I'll be helping the community out, they're for it.''

His father said the announcement took him by surprise, but he said he was proud his son will set an example for other Armenians.

``This is dangerous work, and you want your child to be in a safe place, but the important thing is this is something he really loves,'' Norik Karapetyan said. ``The boys have to become an example, and they must do well, because by seeing them, young Armenians will choose that path.''

Ultimately, nothing - neither the lack of money nor their parents' disapproval - was going to stand in the way of them pursuing their dreams, both boys said.

``It's what I want to be,'' Hambarchian said. ``It doesn't matter to me who does or doesn't approve of it. I couldn't see myself doing anything else.

``I don't want to come home and say I made a lot of money. That doesn't matter to me. Knowing I helped someone out that day, I'd be a lot more happy with myself.''

Both are aware that if they do land jobs as firefighters, they could set an example for other Armenians interested in the field.

``If the kids see that people from their background and culture are heroes, they might feel it's more acceptable to get into it,'' Hambarchian said. ``Just to see someone of your culture working in a field, it could inspire them.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

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Armenian Americans Sevak Karapetyan and Patrick Hambarchian are hopeful that they will graduate from the Glendale Arroyo Seco Fire Academy and become firefighters.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer