More women are joining CFA in both operational and non-operational roles, with many CFA districts tripling the total number of operational women firefighters.
Statistics released on data vic show a 30 per cent increase in the total number of female members joining CFA from 2000 to 2014.
CFA will be celebrating the significant contribution of women as part of International Women’s Day this Sunday 8 March.
More than 12,000 CFA women help protect lives and property year round in metropolitan and country areas of Victoria.
CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson said in the last few years in particular there had been a marked increase in the number of women joining CFA operational ranks, both in career and volunteer roles.
“Last year we have more than 100 women apply for career firefighting roles – which is the second largest number we have ever had apply.
“In addition to that, over the past 15 years, all CFA districts have at least doubled their numbers of female operational volunteers.”
Mr Ferguson said the statistics indicated that CFA was making improvements in this area – however acknowledged there was still a way to go.
“Currently 20 per cent of our 58,000 members are women – we want this figure to rise to 50 per cent which we know will be a challenge,” he said.
“That goal is not unattainable, but it might take some time to get there.
“We will do everything in our power to attract more women to apply for senior fire and emergency management positions.
“I look forward to the day where the Fire and Emergency Management Leadership Team has equal representation between men and women, to the extent that we have a female Chief Officer.”
International Women’s Day events supported or run by CFA include:
- Mt Eliza Fire Brigade ‘Women in Firefighting Volunteering day’, held yesterday (5 March) encouraging local women to join CFA.
- Staying Safe: Making it Happen - Women in Emergency Services, Lake Weerona, Bendigo, 2pm on Sunday, 8 March
To mark International Women’s Day the CFA media team have profiled just a few examples of extraordinary CFA women. You can view them here:
Steph follows in Dad’s footsteps
Sue paves the way
Brigade thrives under Emma’s Captaincy
‘Rewarding’ work for Mary Anne
Women participation growing at Linton
History in the making
CFA hand-in-hand with farm life
Author: CFA Media