Winchelsea Fire Brigade in District 7 is proud of its diversity.
By Rod Taylor
It has 26 active members and almost a third of those are women.
During the 2016-17 fire season, Winchelsea Fire Brigade will have eight active female firefighters and five women in support roles doing group communications, station duties, and as the secretary/treasurer in the Brigade Management Team.
All the active female members live and work around the Winchelsea area. We have stay-at-home and working mums, a student, an artist, retail assistant, business consultant and a horticulturist.
The active female members have acquired a range of skills and experience through structured training and turn outs., and they are an important part of any turn out crew, 24 hours a day. Their skills include grass and scrub fire suppression, low structure, hazmat, using breathing apparatus, driving, advanced pumping, first-aid and community engagement.
As there is always a need to fill various roles, Winchelsea Fire Brigade actively encourages and welcomes women to become both active and non-active members of the brigade.
Go, girl power!
Author: Duncan Russell