derran watts

Firefighter with Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, Acting Lieutenant Suppression

Acting Lieutenant of Recruiting 

While attending the University of British Columbia (UBC) and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, I also had the privilege of playing Varsity Baseball. After my 2nd year at UBC, I was the first UBC Thunderbird to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the MLB Draft.

My experiences of being a student athlete at a great institution prepared me for professional baseball and all the challenges that go along with it. It required a blend of academic discipline, athletic commitment, and public service. At UBC, my studies in English required critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills—tools that would later prove valuable far beyond the classroom. Balancing rigorous academics with high-level athletics required focus, resilience, and time management, qualities that became very important throughout the rest of my life. 

As a student-athlete, I worked hard not only in the classroom but also on the baseball field as UBC’s first varsity baseball player to be drafted into Major League Baseball. Selected in the 12th round by the New York Mets, this milestone marked not only a personal achievement but also a historic moment for the university’s baseball program. There have been 35 players drafted or signed by Major League Baseball organizations since.

Following my 5 years in the Mets organization, I knew a path rooted in teamwork and community service was in my future.  That led me to attend the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and join Vancouver Fire Rescue Services in 2011. The transition from professional athletics to firefighting reflected a continued commitment to teamwork and discipline. As a firefighter, we are required to apply a similar work ethic developed through years of sport and study, contributing to a profession that demands courage, adaptability, and sound judgment in high-stakes environments.

These journeys have enabled me to appreciate excellence in my peers and co-workers, respect for teamwork, and a willingness to take on challenges that require both physical and mental strength. From the lecture halls of UBC to professional baseball diamonds and finally to the front lines of emergency response, this journey demonstrates how diverse experiences can intersect to form a well-rounded, service-driven professional identity.