IWD Interview: #ChooseToChallenge - Choose a Career in Emergency Response

This month we’re reflecting on diversity and inclusion in fire response and emergency management across Australia.

It’s been proven that a diverse team is a critical element to a great team as much in fire response and emergency management as it is in any operational environment. Lucky for us, we’ve been able to sit down for a coffee with experienced retained firefighter Sharon Hodges to discuss our thoughts and get her real-time insights and advice on the topic.

But first – to introduce Sharon we thought we’d start with a quick-fire round of questions:

Coffee order? Latte

Best beach in Australia? Jibbon Beach, NSW

Morning, Noon or Night? Morning  

Caramello Koala or Freddo Frog? Caramello Koala

This year the International Women’s Day campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge – and women in emergency response roles are already doing just that. Women make up just 8% of retained firefighters in Fire and Rescue NSW and an average of only 5% across Australia. Sharon, why did you choose a career in an emergency response role?

I wanted to give back to my community and I love developing new skills. I’m always learning something new in this job - there are so many great opportunities for further training and development.

What qualities do you think female firefighters in Australia share that make them excellent emergency response professionals? 

In this job you need excellent communication skills, to be an active and good listener, be able to respond quickly and clearly, and importantly to have empathy. From my experience female firefighters excel in displaying these qualities, and when these skills are combined with the technical skills you learn on the job the combination is what makes a great firefighter.

You were part of the team that battled Australia’s 2019-2020 Black Summer fires. What did you take away from that experience?

It was both personally rewarding but also physically and mentally exhausting – seeing people lose their homes and businesses really impacts your mental health, however there was a lot of support available for all of us. I think the organisation has learned a lot and identified the need for improvement in communications during multi-agency events.

What do you think prevents women from applying for roles in emergency management, or staying in the job?

I’d say individual perspectives on the role and its suitability – this a great career that allows you to get out there and serve the community. It’s rewarding and there are opportunities to train up. For staying in the job, I think there’s still a way to go for improving support for family responsibilities across all genders.

In 2016, a study by an organisation focused on gender balance in emergency leadership roles outlined a number of key strategies to improve female participation. These included:

• Establishing a structured sponsor system for women

• Challenging male bias and a ‘Boys’ Club’ culture

• Improving the quality and accessibility of leadership training for women

• Improving support for family and work balance across all genders

Which of these strategies do you think are most critical to improving gender balance in fire and emergency response roles and why?

I’ve seen a lot of cultural change over my time in the industry. A lot has been done to focus on the well being of all first responders, to challenge male bias and any ‘Boys’ Club’ culture, and generally there is support for women to get into the industry – the focus on the importance of diversity is genuinely there across all levels of the organisation.

What would you say to a woman who wants to start a career in emergency response? 

Just go for it!

Thanks Sharon!

So this International Women’s Day – and every other day – #ChooseToChallenge gender role norms, and in the process make our emergency management agencies increasingly diverse and successful teams.