When Alice Knight started at the Linton Fire Brigade 35 years ago there were very few other women involved.
***Alice Knight is a CFA volunteer who is being profiled as part of a special series ‘Celebrating CFA Women’ in recognition of International Women’s Day on 8 March***
“It’s interesting to see women’s participation in CFA growing and seeing what a good job they’re doing,” Alice says. “Particularly girls in the Linton Brigade, they are doing a great job.
“Firefighting is physically harder for women and it’s really nice to have other women on board.”
For about 20 years Alice has been in control of the communications for the group; she used to call out the trucks before ESTA was in place.
She’d talk to the brigades on the first Sunday every month in the off-season to check radios were in working order.
She got to know a lot of people.
Alice is a very well respected woman and is passionate about the environment. The Linton resident lives on a farm with her brother Kevin.
About three years ago, Alice received an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of service to the community of Linton and district through a range of natural resource management, emergency services and church organisations.
In her 35 years in the Linton Fire Brigade, she’s met some interesting and inspiring people in the region and credits the brigade with also being a social outlet. But it’s the sense of community that trumps it all.
“I’ve met some tremendous people, very interesting people and I’ve been fortunate to work with great group officers, including Des Phelan who has extraordinary skills at reading fires, and I’ve learnt a lot from him.
“I’ve always been involved in the community; it’s what you make it. If you’re not involved then nothing will happen. You’ve got to get it going.”
If there are great women in your brigade you’d like to recognise this Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about them in the posts section below this story. Read more stories and watch a video from last year’s Celebrating CFA Women series here.
Read more profiles here:
History in the making
CFA hand-in-hand with farm life
Rewarding work for Mary Anne
Brigade thrives under Emma’s captaincy
Sue paves the way
Steph follows in Dad’s footsteps
Author: CFA Media