Former WINK-TV news anchor Patrick Comer is taking on a new challenge.

Currently the public information officer for Lehigh Fire and Rescue, he decided he wanted an insider's knowledge of how firefighters operate. So he enrolled in the fire academy and started training.

"For me, it's all about credibility," he says. "This has been extremely physically and mentally challenging,” adds the 59-year-old rookie.

"There are times when you feel like you can't go another step," he says. "And then you realize, yes, you can."

While Patrick may not end up on the front lines of a firefight, he says the program has energized him. "I plan on studying to become an EMT next," he added with a smile.

Patrick, who has two firefighting sons, graduates on Friday (4/18). He says one of his sons was his instructor for part of the course but didn't give him any noticeable breaks.