Airservices joins effort to boost number of women fire fighters

Airservices Australia fire fighters are set to take part in workshops across NSW aimed at attracting young women to the profession.

The workshops, hosted by the non-profit organisation Girls on Fire, will provide young women with a hands-on experience of fire fighting and emergency services skills.

Airservices Sydney fire fighters Alison Walters and Kristin Alston will take part in the Yarramundi event near Sydney on November 3, providing demonstrations, information and advice about becoming an aviation rescue fire fighter.

“We realise not everyone has heard of aviation rescue fire fighters so we are really keen to demonstrate what we do and how our role differs from others in fire fighting,” Alison said.

Airservices fire fighters will also be attending other camps at Mogo, Newcastle, Dubbo and Wauchope on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

The practical sessions will include activities such as simulated firefighting, using hose reels and pumps, donning breathing apparatus and search and rescue activities.

Coffs Harbour station Local Area Manager Paul Tringali and Fire Commander Mick Rawstron are taking their teenage daughters to the Wauchope event.

“My daughter and Mick’s daughter are friends and they are both interested in what their dads do for work so I thought this was a great opportunity for them to discover for themselves what it’s all about,” Local Area Manager Paul Tringali said.

Airservices Chief Service Delivery Officer Michelle Bennetts said Airservices is committed to increasing female representation in aviation and rescue fire fighting.

“Alison and Kristin are shining examples to other women of how to succeed in aviation fire fighting,” Ms Bennetts said.

“We are proud to support an initiative which aims to attract a whole generation of females to a career they might not have previously considered.”

Airservices aviation rescue fire fighters work in 27 fire stations at airports around Australia. Our fire fighters protect travellers and workers at Australia’s busiest airports and respond to a broad range of aviation and airport emergencies.

Fire fighting at Airservices offers a unique opportunity to stay fit, help people in a meaningful way and work in a dynamic outdoor team environment.

/Public Release. View in full here.