No Can beBee About It – They Are Where’s Need beBee !!!

In Australia, we have devastating bush fires with loss of life, property, livestock, native flora and fauna.

We also have  Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA)  - a non-profit professional organisation to support women already in or considering a career in the Australasian fire fighting industry.

Historically in Australia since colonisation and notably in times of War when men were overseas fighting other countries' battles, women have been an integral if largely undocumented force in fighting fires to protect loved ones and property!

Today women still participate in fire fighting!

In Australia, Female Career Fire Fighter applicants range across the States from between 5% and 12%
and those who actually get in and get paid vary between 2% and 5%.

In 2015, Tasmania had the 3rd smallest population of the 7 states and territories with 2.17% of Australia’s total.
The population was approx 515 950 with a population density of 7.5 people per square kilometre.  
Of the 5% of Tasmania‘s Female Career Fire Fighters, 86% in the 18-25yo bracket  were women!

In Volunteer agencies Female Fire Fighters range from between 14% and 44%.
In 2015, South Australia had the 4th smallest state population (1,698,600)
with 7.14% of Australia’s total and a population density of 1.7 people per square kilometre

What’s surprising is South Australia’s the Female Fire Fighter stats...

South Australia : Female Fire Fighters percentages by age (2015) 

Age  20-24yo     25-29yo(a)     30-34yo     35-39yo     40-44yo     45-49yo    50-54yo     55-59yo     60-64yo(b)     65+yo

%          67%            20%               70%           62%            40%          52%            40%           45% 1          4%               33%

(a) lower as women are possibly otherwise engaged in child rearing  
(b) lower as women are possibly suffering from age related health issues

Women step into the breach when needed!

The question is surely purely esoteric as when needs must
women are there and fighting!

Maybe soon there’ll even be a Calendar, eh Girls?

Check out Merilyn Childs who gave the Key Note Address, International Women in Firefighting Conference Sydney 2006.
Her blogspot is worth reading!

FYI - The International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services  2016 International Conference was held March 3-5 in Sacramento, California.