Instapundit » Blog Archive » THE OUTRAGE IS DESERVED: Outrage is erupting after a 22-year-old who runs into BURNING BUILDINGS a

September 23, 2026

THE OUTRAGE IS DESERVED: Outrage is erupting after a 22-year-old who runs into BURNING BUILDINGS as a volunteer firefighter was told he isn’t qualified to be a paid firefighter… …because he was HOMESCHOOLED. Then the city changed the job posting to cover it up. His name is Andrew Coates. He’s 22 years old, in Nebraska. Right now, today, he runs into burning buildings as a volunteer firefighter for Cedar Bluffs Fire. He is a state-licensed EMT. He is doing the job. For free. All he wanted was to get PAID to do it. In his words: “Make a career out of it would be the goal. To get paid to do what you love.”

AND I FOUND AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT, SINCE X-CANCEL IS STILL DOWN: Neb. volunteer firefighter’s homeschool diploma rejected when applying for career firefighter position. Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Andrew Coates is challenging Fremont’s decision to reject his firefighter application because his homeschool diploma did not come from an accredited high school.

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