Shawneen Tutt, 35, has been a volunteer firefighter with the Coalhurst Fire Department, for three years. The department, started in February 1972 and is volunteer based.

Through those three years Tutt made a discovery that led her to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training program at Lethbridge College.  She says that the experience changed some perspectives on her life.
“You gain a real appreciation of what’s really out there, what people deal with on a day-to-day basis. You look forward to coming home at night to be with your family.”
There are only 825 female firefighters out of 27,275 firefighters in Canada, according to the 2006 federal census.
 Volunteer firefighters go through as many as 120 hours of training, depending on the department they are with, and they train each other. Each municipality often sets its own standards when recruiting volunteer firefighters.
Somewhere in responding to accidents and incidents with the department, Tutt found a deeper desire to help others.
“I wanted to be the one to jump in and help,” she says of her decision to expand her education. “It developed a level of skill more than just taking reports. As an EMT you can administer medications and help people physically.
“I developed the skills at training every Wednesday night. It was in-house development courses I took at the fire hall. I was cross trained. The fire department is very supportive of my education.”
While it’s something she is passionate about, being with the fire department is very hard.
“Dealing with the losses. You have to get used to people’s reactions and the grieving process.”
There is little difference between volunteer fire departments and full-time paid firefighters. The biggest difference is that volunteers stay until an incident is over, helping rescue people, fighting fires, responding to calls any hour of everyday, whereas full-time firefighters get relief.  
“It instilled confidence in me to deal with people. It helped develop those interpersonal skills. I love doing it. It’s getting to know the community better. I can be of assistance when needed.
 I never regret it. Being a department volunteer has been the best experience of my life. It helped me decide what I want to be when I grow up.”
Tutt encourages anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter to just do it.
“Go for it, all the way. Volunteering helped me figure out part of my life. I found something I love to do. I’m going to do it forever.”