By Kirsty McMurray
The Daily News
TARANAKI, New Zealand — Photos of two Taranaki volunteers will be gracing walls all over the country next year when people pin up their national women firefighters’ fundraising calendar.
Waitara’s Jasmine Laurence and Stratford’s Kelly McNab are senior firefighters who say they can do anything the men can — including appearing in the calendar.
The New Zealand Firefighters’ Calendar is a 22-year-old institution which raises money for the Child Cancer Foundation and helps fund the NZ Firefighters Sports Association by selling calendars for $10 a pop.
But until a women’s version was introduced this year, it only featured photos of shirtless men.
Mrs McNab, who is pictured posing with an aerial appliance, said she was thrilled to have been picked.
“I was quite stoked, there were a lot of other women who wanted to be in it.”
After spending 17 years as a volunteer firefighter, Mrs McNab, who is pregnant with her third child, is working towards becoming an officer. “I absolutely love it. If I had my way I’d be permanent staff.”
She said dealing with people, the adrenaline and not knowing what you were going to find at the other end of a callout were what kept her coming back to the volunteer brigade.
“We’re just run-of-the mill firefighters, we get out there and do the dirty stuff,” Mrs McNab said.
But despite keeping calm while walking into a burning building or picking up the pieces after a nasty crash, it’s the thought of thousands of people looking at her photo which sets Mrs Laurence’s heart racing.
“I think last year they sold 40,000 so it’s a bit scary that my picture’s out there for 40,000 people to see.
“It’s quite nervewracking.”
Mrs Laurence followed in a family tradition by joining the Waitara volunteer fire brigade six years ago.
“My dad and his dad and my brother all did it so it’s always something I’ve wanted to get into.”
Both Mrs McNab and Mrs Laurence were flown to Auckland for a photo shoot for the calendar in April.
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