Emergency services in the Eurobodalla are joining a state-wide push to recruit more women.
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NSW Fire and Rescue, the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service and Volunteer Rescue Association are encouraging female recruits to join their ranks.
Being part of an emergency service organisation is nothing new to Narooma Volunteer Rescue Association member Jacqui Smith.
“Twelve years ago I was a paramedic volunteer at the Yulara Resort in the Northern Territory,” she said.
Jacqui learned plenty and gained valuable experience.
“They rely on volunteers a lot out there,” she said.
Two years ago, Jacqui saw a post by the Narooma VRA stating its need for a secretary.
“A lady, Cheryl Edwards, had been secretary, but was leaving so they needed another one,” she said. “I joined up for that, but I always wanted to get back into the rescue side. It is challenging, but I love it.”
She is one of three female members in the Narooma VRA.
“It is good to have the other two ladies there,” she said. “We are all treated equally and no one favours mean over the girls. We are in a good squad.”
Jacqui recently completed her rescue operators course, and had a turn as team leader during the recent land search for missing man Ray Speechley at Dalmeny.
Tuross Head’s Danielle Brice is one of half a dozen female members of the Tuross Head RFS and one of the same amount in the Moruya SES.
“The SES and RFS are very inclusive and that is the way a volunteer organisation should be,” she said. “Two other ladies have just joined the Moruya SES, so there are now six of us.”
However, she would like to see more.
“The opportunities it presents to women to learn and grow are really important, so I would like to see more women, especially young women, join up,” she said.
It is not just volunteer services that are looking for more female members.
Batemans Bay Fire and Rescue recently had a woman firefighter join their ranks, and she is fitting well into the team. Deputy captain Alan Fitches would like more to join.
“It is wonderful to have female members, as their skill to do the job is as good as any male,” he said. “They bring other skills to the service, and in many traumatic situations, especially involving other females, they are invaluable.”
Deputy captain Fitches said that female recruits undertake the same training as males, therefore logically emerge as equals. Fire and Rescue NSW is aiming for a 50-50 male-female ratio statewide.
Batemans Bay Fire and Rescue once had six female firefighters, the highest ratio in the state.