A firefighter and paramedic licensed to work in Illinois, Dakota Ibrahim takes great pride in serving others. He has worked as a firefighter/paramedic for over a decade, saving lives from house fires, car accidents, and chemical spills. Dakota Ibrahim also responds to water rescues and medical emergencies.
Mr. Ibrahim began his career as a firefighter/paramedic at Romeoville Fire Department, where he worked for 4 years before moving to the Bolingbrook Fire Department. He worked there for another 4 years before joining the Forest View Fire Department.
Dakota Ibrahim has earned several unit citation awards for excellence in emergency situations. In one particular case in 2020, he clocked the fastest response time ever in his fire department for a mass shooting in the south side of Chicago. Mr. Ibrahim and his partner arrived at the scene before any police or other fire department personnel, triaged all patients, requested additional ambulances, and transported all casualties to the hospital within 28 minutes.
Mr. Ibrahim studied firefighting at Romeoville Fire Academy, where he also completed his EMT basic training. He studied paramedicine at Morris Paramedic School. He is certified in Technical Rescue Awareness, Fire Service Vehicle Operator, CPR, Fire Apparatus Engineer, and Hazmat Materials Operations. He is also a certified Fire Apparatus Engineer.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
When I’m not at the firehouse, my day usually starts early with a healthy breakfast and then hitting the gym. I’ve found that getting the blood flowing early shifts my mindset for the rest of the day. I like to knock out at least one productive task outside of work, whether it’s checking in on my business, handling paperwork, or knocking out a house project. I keep lists and hold myself accountable to them. The key is momentum. Once I get going, it’s easier to stay focused and avoid spiraling into distractions.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I don’t overthink the first step, I just start. A lot of good ideas never make it off paper, and all it usually takes is some motivation. I’ll have a concept, see if it’s a realistic idea and what it would take to get a prototype or a quote. After that, things usually just happen creatively for me from there. I’ve learned that progress builds clarity, and you don’t need the entire idea right away. I’m also big on feedback – I always want to know if a project I’m working on is gaining traction with others.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I love how blue-collar industries are finally getting attention in the digital space. Companies that used to rely strictly on word-of-mouth are now building brands online—pressure washing, construction, landscaping. There’s pride in that. It’s changing how the trades are viewed, and I think it’s overdue. I don’t think robots are replacing us anytime soon.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Staying physically active. Whether it’s working out or just moving around, it clears my head. I’ve never had a breakthrough idea while sitting still staring at a screen or sitting in silence. I usually get clarity while training, driving, or even at the firehouse chatting with my coworkers and brainstorming quirky ideas.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down and take it all in. I used to think I needed to grow up fast, but now I wish I had cherished my youth a little more. You don’t realize how good those years are until you’re past them. I am not old (yet) by any means, but I’m not as limber as I used to be on the ice when I play hockey, that’s for sure!
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think the way someone handles stress or loss says a lot more about them than how they handle success. People often say that, but most don’t really pay attention to it, but I do. When things fall apart, that’s when you see someone’s true character.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Make time to check in with yourself without distractions. No phone, no music, just sit with your thoughts. Ask yourself how you’re doing, how you’re feeling. It’s uncomfortable at first, but once you get used to it, it can be relaxing. Sometimes, you’ll realize you’re carrying stress you didn’t even notice. Other times, you’ll find clarity. Either way, it’s worth making a habit out of.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I move. I hit the gym or go for a drive. If I sit in it too long, I get uncomfortable. I’ve learned to respect that overwhelmed feeling, not fight it. Get up, move, breathe, and then reassess.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Not being afraid to ask questions, even if they make me look like I don’t know something. Whether it’s in the firehouse or at the gym, people respect curiosity more than they do fake confidence. The sooner I admit what I don’t know, the faster I learn.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When I first launched my business, I expected the phone to start ringing right away. I had the gear, the drive, and I was ready to work. But for those first few weeks, it was quiet. I started second-guessing everything. But instead of panicking, I doubled down on outreach, fine-tuned my marketing, and stayed consistent. Eventually, the calls started coming in. That experience taught me that momentum takes time to build and patience is just as important as hustle when you’re starting out.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An app designed specifically to help firefighters train for and pass the CPAT. It could offer a structured weekly training plan tailored to each event, with video demos, progress tracking, and tips on technique. A big part of CPAT prep is doing the right kind of training – things like stair climbs with weight, sled drags, farmer’s carries, and high-intensity circuits that mimic the physical demands of the job. When I was preparing, I had to piece all that together from YouTube videos, forums, and tips from my peers. This app could simplify everything, especially for candidates who don’t have access to a gym with CPAT-specific equipment. It would make the process more efficient and help people walk into their test with confidence.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar keeps my whole life in order. I use it to track my firehouse shifts, schedule jobs for my business, and manage personal stuff like appointments or errands, all in one place. One of the best parts is being able to share calendars and collaborate with others. Whether I’m coordinating with my crew or just sharing a dinner reservation, it helps everyone stay on the same page and saves me from a ton of back-and-forth.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. It’s not just about toughness or being a robot, it’s about accountability. It’s about doing hard things even when you don’t feel like it. That mindset stuck with me. I try to apply a lot of teachings from that book and translate it into my daily life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched Interstellar again. It’s obviously a movie about space, but what stood out to me was the message about time, sacrifice, and doing whatever it takes for the people you care about. It’s the kind of film that stays with you after it ends. Even with all the science and big visuals, it still feels really personal. It’s a movie you can rewatch over and over again and have a different meaning every time.
Key learnings
- You don’t need a perfect plan—start small and figure things out as you go.
- Consistency and resilience matter more than perfect conditions or timing.
- Physical movement is a tool for focus, clarity, and stress relief.
- Being honest about what you don’t know speeds up growth.
- Failures can be fuel— if you own them and keep going, they don’t define you.