Locally-based Rural Fire Service operational officer Beth Dalton has been selected to be a team leader at the inaugural Firefighters Mutual Bank Girls Fire and Emergency Services Camp.
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The event, which will be held at YMCA Camp Yarramundi this week, is being hosted by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), its emergency services counterparts, and not-for-profit organisation, Girls on Fire.
The seven-day camp will see 20 participants, aged 15-17 years, learn firefighting and emergency services skills, increase their confidence and resilience, encourage problem solving, teamwork and leadership, and introduce them to the possibility of a career in the emergency services.
The girls will participate in a range of theoretical and practical lessons as well as extinguish simulated fires, undertake rescue operations, go abseiling, build a raft and go on an overnight hike with the support of team leaders.
Team leaders will provide mentoring, coaching and assistance for the participants during the Fire and Emergency Services Camp program.
The position of team leader was highly contested and the NSW RFS Mid Lachlan Valley Team are very proud of Beth’s selection. She will be a great role model to the young participants while at the same time, developing her own skills in leadership, team work and problem solving.
FRNSW Station Officer and Girls on Fire Director, Bronnie Mackintosh, said she was pleased by the response to the initiative which aims to break down gender barriers and encourage and empower young girls to consider a career in emergency services.
“We received a large number of applications from young girls wanting to participate in the camp. This demonstrates the growing desire by females to become involved in emergency services,” she said.
General Manager of Firefighters Mutual Bank, Jim O’Connell, said the bank was delighted to be a major partner, alongside the fire and emergency services, in making this project come to life.
The Girls Fire and Emergency Services Camp is a multi-agency collaboration between Girls On Fire, Firefighters Mutual Bank, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), Monash University, YMCA and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC).
For more information, visit www.girlsonfire.com.au
