Hunter girls encouraged to consider emergency services careers

newy.com.au – Young women and girls in Newcastle and the Hunter are being encouraged to consider careers in emergency services through a hands-on training program backed by the NSW government.

Girls on Fire has received more than $180,000 through the government’s Investing in Women grants program to deliver a nine-week practical program for teenage girls in regional and remote areas.

The program includes training in real-world fire and emergency skills, disaster preparedness across urban fire, bushfire, flood and climatic impacts, and support with applications to volunteer or work with emergency agencies.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison visited the workshop this week to observe the program, which aims to build leadership skills and confidence among local girls.

The Girls on Fire program has previously run in South Western Sydney, Casino, Moree, Walgett, Wilcannia, Tamworth and Albury, and has now expanded to Newcastle and the Hunter.

About 500 girls have participated in the program so far, with the program set to be delivered in Western Sydney next year.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said bringing the program to the region was an important step towards increasing the number of women in emergency services.

“Welcoming this program to the region is a proud moment for the Hunter and a big step toward getting more women into our emergency services which are so vital to our communities,” Ms Catley said.

“We know the calibre of women in the Hunter – strong, capable and committed to their communities – and those qualities are what these roles require.”

Ms Harrison said the government was working to increase gender diversity in non-traditional roles, including emergency services.

“Girls on Fire is an exciting program that we’ve funded to provide regional girls with hands-on experience in emergency and disaster response,” she said.

“It not only teaches practical skills, it also provides leadership development and wellbeing support, building girls’ resilience and confidence.”

Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said the program was an opportunity for young women in regional areas to gain practical training in emergency services and disaster response.

Girls on Fire chief executive Bronnie Mackintosh said the nine-week vocational pathways program gave young women the time, space and support to build confidence, develop practical skills and see themselves as capable leaders.

“It’s not just a one-day experience – it’s a journey that creates lasting impact, stronger connections, and genuine pathways into future opportunities,” she said.

The NSW Government’s Investing in Women funding program provided $2.6 million to seven organisations across the state for projects aimed at advancing the role, status and contribution of women and girls.

The funding forms part of the NSW Women’s Strategy, which prioritises women’s employment participation, health and wellbeing, and empowerment.