PANDEMIC CAN’T STOP PROGRAM TO EMPOWER YOUNG WOMEN When COVID-19 restrictions threatened to halt delivery of the Girls on Fire program – a collaboration between NSW RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Parks and Wildlife Service and Air Services Australia – organisers had to get creative. The Girls on Fire camp launched in 2018, empowering girls and young women by teaching them firefighting and emergency services skills, increasing their confidence and resilience and encouraging problem-solving, teamwork and leadership. The camp also introduces them to the possibility of a career or volunteering in the fire and emergency services. The 2020 program included online learning, a virtual workshop and a one-day practical component delivered face-to-face following COVID-safe guidelines, conducted in Yarramundi, Newcastle, Dubbo and Mogo. Peter Jones, Deputy Captain of Kurrajong Brigade, together with Phil Hurst, a Group Captain at Hawkesbury, helped coordinate two of the practical days and provide equipment such as tankers and bulk water. Peter was immensely relieved to see the 40 BUSH FIRE bulletin || COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
program go ahead after it was cancelled in 2019 due to the 2019/20 fire season. “COVID-19 meant we needed to do things differently, with social distancing limiting the number of participants we could have, lots of hand sanitiser and the week-long camp being replaced with a one-day practical component,” said Peter. “However, it has once again proved such a valuable demonstration to girls of what they are capable of and what they could pursue as a career if they wanted to.” Overall, 67 girls took part, ranging in age from 15 to 19. Another 64 volunteers from the five participating agencies participated as mentors and activity facilitators to provide the girls with an incredible learning opportunity. Each program had a slightly different session plan with activities including rural and urban firefighting scenarios, remote access firefighting, managing fire