HEATHER L. SMITH/The Aurora Sentinel Father's Day: Cadiz Aurora fire Lt. Ben Cadiz poses with his son, Aurora fire paramedic Dan, on June 14 in Aurora. (Heather L. Smith/The Aurora Sentinel) . . Posted: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 2:45 pm | Updated: 7:40 am, Thu Jun 16, 2011. BRANDON JOHANSSON Aurora Sentinel | 0 comments Dan Cadiz didn’t always plan on becoming a firefighter. Even though his dad, Ben Cadiz, is a long-time Aurora firefighter, the younger Cadiz set out on a different career path, earning a communications degree before going to work at a mutual fund. And his dad said he knows why his son didn’t immediately follow in his footsteps. “Because I told him not to,” he said laughing. “He’s a good boy, he listens to his dad.” Still, when his son came to him a few years ago and said the office life wasn’t for him and he was considering the fire service, Ben told his son he was fine with it. “I said, ‘The choice is yours,’” he said. For Dan, following his father into firefighting meant a job where every day was different. Plus, having grown up in Aurora, joining Aurora fire meant helping the people in his community, he said. Today, the father and son work at different firehouses, but they still get to see each other on calls every once in awhile. At the tail end of an apartment fire this week, Ben, who is a lieutenant, was outside directing firefighters as his son was inside the apartment, putting out the blaze. Dan said seeing his dad at work is always interesting, but it’s taught him a lot. “More than anything I think I learned how to handle myself professionally,” he said. “I see a different side than just dad.”