In the south-west region of Western Australia, volunteer firefighter Kahlia Lloyd is advocating for a dedicated annual event aimed at inspiring women to explore opportunities in firefighting. Currently, women constitute approximately 27 percent of the workforce within the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Terri Kowal, a firefighter from Bunbury, notes that both societal attitudes and facilities have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in the field.
For Kahlia Lloyd, her journey to becoming a volunteer firefighter was motivated by a profound personal experience. After her daughter tragically passed away at the age of nine from a brain stem tumor, she reached out to her local fire brigade to request their presence at the funeral. “I called the Bunbury fire brigade and asked them to escort the hearse,” said Ms. Lloyd. “They responded immediately, which I found incredibly heartwarming.”
Having served as a firefighter for nearly four years, Ms. Lloyd is now one of six women in the Beelerup volunteer unit, located about 200 kilometers south of Perth. “I joined the brigade to give back for their support during a difficult time and to honor my daughter’s memory,” she shared. “The experience is beyond description. Becoming a firefighter has been one of the most empowering decisions of my life.”
Last month, she spearheaded an open day at the Beelerup bushfire shed coinciding with International Women’s Day, aimed at encouraging female participation in firefighting. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in various firefighting exercises and even try a virtual reality simulation of bushfire defense.
“I wanted to create an environment where women could experience firefighting without pressure or the expectation to commit,” Ms. Lloyd explained. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity, but the field is predominantly male, which can be intimidating for some.” She hopes to make this initiative an annual occurrence.
According to DFES, women represent around 27 percent of its overall workforce, while in volunteer brigades, there are over 4,400 women compared to 15,473 men. Terri Kowal, who has been with the Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade for over thirty years, remarked on the evolving dynamics, noting that the presence of women on the frontlines is increasing. “We’ve had instances where all-female crews have responded to calls,” she said. “I’ve yet to meet a woman who isn’t capable of handling tasks independently.”
Ms. Kowal acknowledged that the introduction of cadet programs has attracted many young women to firefighting, which is essential for sustaining recruitment. “Having a female captain can make it less intimidating for some of the girls,” she mentioned.
However, historical perceptions of women in firefighting, along with inadequate facilities, have likely contributed to the gender imbalance. “We’ve had to create a small changing area with a curtain for women,” she noted. “While some women may not mind, it’s important to accommodate those who may feel uncomfortable.”
Chris Sousa, acting superintendent for DFES in the lower South West, expressed support for initiatives aimed at increasing female representation in frontline roles. “In some communities, women have been the primary responders, especially when men are away for work,” he stated. “Fire knows no gender, and neither does the fire service.”
