By Romy Stephens
The Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade has received a big boost ahead of summer, with an influx of female firefighters joining its ranks.
Five females graduated from their rookie course on 6 October and another two are set to begin the course shortly.
Karen Nelsen has been Treasurer at the brigade for the past six years and as a single mum often takes her daughter, Lily, down to the brigade.
She said that the team at Upper Ferntree Gully has been extremely supportive of welcoming females.
“I’m a single mother, my daughter’s involved in CFA and the guys are brilliant role models for my children and they’re brilliant friends,” she said.
“The comradeship is absolutely fantastic, a great support network.
“Our CFA has probably one of the largest group of females, they really range. Some of them started off in the juniors and have come through that way, others have transferred from other CFAs.”
Amber Johnson is an operational firefighter whose dad’s involvement in the brigade and her desire to help the community inspired her to get involved.
She said despite the role of an operational firefighter being quite strenuous, she’s built up to the workload through training.
“It is very physically demanding, you’ve got to be fit to be able to do it,” she said.
“I started and I was very weak and I’ve become a lot stronger now.”
The Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade is a Volunteer Fire Service that has been serving the local community since 1926.
Karen said she encourages women that might be interested to head to the brigade and get involved.
“Don’t be afraid, you don’t have to come in a drive a truck, you don’t have to handle the hoses there’s other roles for women in CFA,” she said.
“We encourage whatever skills that you’ve got, you can bring them in and we can help create roles where you’ll fit into the group.”
The Upper Ferntree Gully CFA is currently recruiting.
For more information on how to get involved in the brigade, contact Captain Peter Smith on 0438 330 361.
