Girls on Fire Take Action Amid Growing Bushfre Risks

As the risk of bushfres in regional and rural NSW escalates ahead of the summer season, Girls on Fire, a not-for-proft organisation founded by frefghter and advocate Bronnie Mackintosh, is leading efforts to communities across regional and rural NSW. From Tenterfeld, Casino, and Lismore in the north, to Wilcannia and Dubbo in the west, and as far south as Eden, the roadshow will deliver crucial fre and disaster

Bush Fire Survival Plan with their family, and download the Hazards Near Me app.”

Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

The Fire UP Girls on Fire Roadshow provides participants help communities prepare. With women making up only 5-7% of Australia’s frefghting workforce, Girls on Fire is on a mission to increase diversity and build resilience within emergency services.

The Fire UP Roadshow, part of Girls on Fire’s initiatives, will cover thousands of kilometres, bringing together 15 management training to girls aged 15-19.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib emphasized the importance of preparation:

“With high temperatures forecast this summer, we cannot be complacent. Everyone needs to take the time now to understand their risks, discuss their with essential life skills, leadership training, and emergency response knowledge. The roadshow will stop in Tenterfeld on October 22, Casino on October 23, and Lismore on October 24, 2024, for one-day Girls Fire and Resilience Camps.

Supported by volunteers from the Rural Fire Service, Police, SES,

Ambulance, Forestry, and Indigenous communities, alongside local schools and organisations, these camps aim to inspire and empower young women to lead in a future where extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.

Bronnie Mackintosh explained the program’s importance:

“Visibility now creates leadership later. By giving young women real-world skills today, we are preparing them to be tomorrow’s emergency services personnel and community leaders. With a new bushfre season ahead, it’s more important than ever to be ready.”

Challenging Participants to Discover Their Strengths

Many participants discover their capabilities for the frst time by engaging in activities such as running a fre hose from a truck, working as a team in a smoke-flled building, or using specialised equipment to extinguish fres and rescue people from car wrecks. These immersive, hands-on experiences build confdence, resilience, and leadership skills that prepare participants for unforeseen challenges.

Bronnie Mackintosh shared:

“With extreme weather on the rise, it’s vital we equip the next generation to lead their communities. These camps help young women discover just how much they’re capable of. By challenging themselves in fre and emergency scenarios, they walk away with the confdence to tackle anything.”

Pathways to Careers and Volunteering

The camps also introduce participants to potential careers in frefghting and emergency services. Through mentorship from experienced professionals, participants gain frsthand experience in teamwork and leadership. Special efforts are made to encourage young women from First Nations and culturally diverse communities to explore these career paths. Those interested in volunteering or attending the Girls Fire and Resilience Camps can register at girlsonfre. org.au.

Supported by Key Partners

The Fire UP Roadshows are free to participants, thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s Investing in Women grant, principal partner NAB, and in-kind support from Chubb Fire & Security.

Tenterfeld Tue 22 Oct 9 til 3pm - Tenterfeld Showground Casino Wed 23 Oct 9 til 3pm - Casino Rural Fire Service Control Centre

Lismore Thurs 24 Oct 9 til 3pm - Lismore Showground