What does it mean to fight fire in a place where everyone knows everyone,
resources are stretched, and you may be on call any time you are in town?
In Episode 17 of The Other Side of the Call, we return to Fort Smith, Northwest
Territories, for Part 2 of our conversation with longtime volunteer firefighter Jason
Panter and his wife, Helen.
With a population of just over 2,000 people, Fort Smith depends heavily on
volunteer responders. When the pager goes off, firefighters leave their regular
jobs, their families, and whatever else is happening in their lives to help
neighbours in crisis. In a remote northern community, that responsibility carries a
different kind of pressure.
In this episode, Jason reflects on more than 25 years in the fire service and
speaks candidly about:
how volunteer firefighter recruitment and training work in a remote community
the realities of limited staffing, limited equipment, and mutual reliance
the constant pressure of being effectively on call whenever you are in town
the psychological weight of duty, obligation, and small-town accountability
how wildfire seasons are changing in the North
what Fort Smith faced during the devastating 2023 wildfire season
how firefighter mental health supports have evolved over time
The role of peer support, informal debriefing, and programs like BOS
Helen also shares what it is like to support a firefighter spouse while managing
family life, uncertainty, and the realities of living in a community increasingly
shaped by wildfire risk and emergency response demands.
Together, they offer an honest look at resilience, family, service, and the hidden
toll of showing up for others year after year.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Wounded Warriors Canada
Before Operational Stress (BOS) program
https://woundedwarriors.ca/programs/before-operational-stress
Episode 13 of The Other Side of the Call
Featuring Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Boynton discussing trauma support and
programming for first responders and military members.
Released February 24.