The girls are on fire

Encouraging more women to take up a career in the emergency services.

  • 11 March 2019

    Girls in bush wearing harnesses and helmets taking turns to climb log ladder at Yarramundi NSW

    Do you remember when you were a child and grown-ups would ask: “What would you like to be when you grow up?” Recently, a group of young women were given the opportunity to embrace just that. Did they have what it takes for a career in the emergency services?

    One intense week.

    20 enthusiastic young women.

    Bush survival.

    Fire extinguishers and pumps.

    Rescue simulations.

    That was the inaugural Firefighters Mutual Bank Girls Fire and Emergency Services Camp held at Yarramundi NSW, in December 2018.

    Firefighters Mutual Bank is committed to initiatives like the Girls Fire and Emergency Services Camp, to help the Australian Emergency Services recruit more women into the service. The Camp was the brainchild of Bronnie Mackintosh, a station officer with Fire & Rescue NSW. Bronnie has a passion not only to increase the number of women in the fire service, but to create a more diverse, inclusive and effective workforce.

    Bronnie was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate how to get more women into Fire and Rescue. With this, she travelled to the US and Canada. She was introduced to the girl camps which have proven to be successful in increasing female numbers in the emergency services. The concept was then brought back to Australia and together with the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, and Fire & Rescue NSW the pilot camp was conceived.

    A mutual goal

    When Firefighters Mutual Bank was approached to become involved, we didn’t think twice about getting on board. “We are 100% behind the shift to empower more women to have a career in the fire and emergency services”, said General Manager Jim O’Connell.

    The girls spent a challenging week away from their families and friends. There were lots of rescue and safety drills designed to build self-confidence and resilience. It’s not often the average 15–17 year old woman gets the chance to handle fire extinguishers and pumps, learn bush survival skills, conduct a boat rescue during a simulated flood, extinguish a simulated bush fire, conduct a cave rescue, walk through a smoke filled room in breathing apparatus and various other skill building exercises. They even attended a workshop on “how to be the boss of your money” which was conducted by Firefighters Mutual Bank attending the camp, to give the campers some basic tips on financial empowerment.

    Igniting the spark

    At the completion of the camp, feedback received by the girls was very positive and included comments such as:

    “I wanted to join the camp because I wanted to improve my confidence and I like the idea of being a bit of a leader, working on my skills with other people in a team.” Kayla, 17 years

    “I didn’t know much about fire and emergency services but I love the outdoors, getting into it and teamwork, so I thought it would be a great opportunity.” Laura, 16 years

    Congratulations to the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, YMCA Yarramundi Camp, Monash University and all of the volunteers who organised the camp and worked tirelessly during the week.

    Visit Girls on Fire for more information.

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