Women playing a part

WOMEN in rural fire brigades can have a big part to play. Eudlo Rural Fire Brigade’s Grant Harden said, women could carry out work as radio operators, do logistics, organise food and refreshments for the fire fighters, or become fire fighters.

"I believe women can have a bigger roll to play in the rural fire brigades if they so choose. There is no reason why women can not be fire fighters.

"I know at least one fire brigade that consists of all women and there are many rural fire brigades with both women and men as fire fighters. There is no glamour in fire fighting, it’s hot, hard dirty work.

"It can be very satisfying, specially when you help save peoples properties and homes. The problem that most rural fire brigades have, is not being able to get enough fire fighters to do the job through the working week (day time mainly), because most men work and work away from the brigade area. This is where the women come into their own.

"There are a lot of women at home during the day that could easily fill these positions. I believe they could do a very good job of it, and not just through the daytime. I cannot speak for all the fire brigade but I would like to see women join.’’

If there were any womenwant to know more about the local brigade, contact him on 5445 9994.