Emergency imbalance fought in QLD
A cop and a fire-fighter are launching a mentoring program for woman in emergency services.
In Queensland, women make up just 6 per cent of full-time firefighters, and are even less represented in high-ranking positions.
Women fill just 8 of Queensland’s 650 station officer positions, a top job in the service.
A similar story for the police force, where just a quarter of constables are women, and less than 9 per cent are inspectors.
Rockhampton-based firefighter Quinn Cramer and Detective Inspector Virginia Nelson from the police service have embarked on a mission to help more women reach their potential in the emergency services.
Ms Cramer says the challenges of working in a male-dominated environment are clear, but might be easier to surmount than they seem.
“It is physically tough but … females are strong enough to get out and do an equal job to men,” Ms Cramer told the ABC.
“It's just a matter of women believing they can do it.
“I think we can reach out and just give a bit of extra support to women, whether it's just answering simple questions or showing them practical ways to train for the physical mobility test... show them that it is possible.
“We don't just sit at the lower ranks and we can climb through and be equal to our counterparts.
“They always say you can't be what you can't see.”
Inspector Nelson said barriers were both visible and invisible.
She said that female representation declines rapidly around the senior constable level, potentially highlighting issues with access to early leadership roles.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan, joined the leaders of the police, fire and ambulance agencies to celebrate the contribution of female emergency service and safety at the Public Safety International Women’s Day 2017 event this week.
Minister Ryan officially opened the event and presented multiple awards to QPS, QFES, PSBA and IGEM female officers and staff.
“Without women taking on the challenge of serving in our frontline services such as the police and fire service, our State agencies would not be where they are today,” Mr Ryan said.
“All the women who have received awards today are evidence of what strong female leadership we already have in our state’s emergency and safety services.
“Each year we continue our drive to ensure equality across our agencies, and I thank all of our state’s emergency service women for their hard work and continual motivation in reaching this goal.
“I have no doubt that the path we set for women across our agencies will continue to motivate young women to enter our frontline roles.”