LUBBOCK, Texas— Brianca Gutierrez, a student in the South Plains College Fire Academy said her purpose in life is to save lives and has been developing the skills to pursue her calling, according to a press release from the South Plains College.
Gutierrez moved to Lubbock in 2011, graduated with an associate degree in general studies from SPC in May 2016 and later worked at Osteogenics Biomedical in Lubbock.
According to the release, Gutierrez eventually decided she wanted to further her education and considered SPC the next stepping stone in her career.
“I worked at Osteogenics Biomedical for 11 years,” said the first-generation college student. “I left because I wanted to continue my education at the SPC Fire Academy.”
Gutierrez started her coursework at the academy in August 2023 and will complete the program in May. Additionally, she will work on getting the necessary certification to take the Texas Commission on Fire Protection structural firefighter examination and will later work on an EMS education program.
Further to learning about the profession in the classroom, being a student in the SPC Fire Academy required a lot of physical activity, said the release.
According to the release, Gutierrez said she will do her best to overcome the challenges the program offers, as she wants to help others.
“You’re a part of something more significant,” Gutierrez expressed. “My purpose here is to help people and save lives.”
Along with getting the opportunity to save people’s lives she said firefighters develop strong bonds with one another and connect with the community.
“Just living here in Lubbock, I’ve been inspired by the Lubbock Fire Department,” Gutierrez said. “You see how they get involved in the community.
This inspired Gutierrez who dreams of working as a firefighter in her home town in Nebraska. She mentioned the job market for firefighters is competitive and said many women do not pursue it as their career path.
To lessen the misconceptions of the field, Gutierrez said she wanted to advocate for women and show how they can accomplish the same tasks a male firefighter can.
“They don’t care that you’re a female,” said Guterriez regarding her peers and leaders in the SPC Fire Academy. “They don’t treat you differently.”
In training, the release said women in the academy do the same training as the men in the classes.
“I think most people think that because you’re going into a male-dominated career, they’re going to treat you differently, ” Gutierrez said. However she said it is equal throughout.
For those wanting to pursue a career as a firefighter, Gutierrez said to “persevere no matter how hard a challenge may be.”
“There will be hardships and times when you’ll question yourself,” she said. “Don’t self-sabotage and don’t give up.”