Ashley Tidwell started working with the Alvaton Fire Department in November 2015. When she first started at the academy, Tidwell’s initial intention was to do more patient care in the pre-hospital setting. “I didn’t initially have interest whatsoever in the fire side of it”, Tidwell said. But after training and putting her turnout gear on for the first time, Tidwell was hooked. “There is something about running into a burning building when everyone else is running out,” Tidwell said.