While Tenterfield fire captain John Gray is calling for more firefighters, particularly women, to join the brigade, just north of the border Wallangarra’s fire captain Jenni Holstrom is showing them how it’s done, taking out the inaugural Outstanding Female Leader Award (Operational Staff) award in the process.
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The award is given annually to women in operational roles from throughout Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) who show leadership encourage and support the development of women and who have been an inspirational role model.
“This is a very positive reflection not only on Jenni but on Wallangarra, the Warwick Command and the South Western Region, and something that should encourage us all to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of our service,” QFES assistant commissioner Stephen Smith said when announcing the award.
After joining the Wallangarra depot in 2007, Ms Holstrom stepped up to the role of captain just two years later when the alternative was to close down the station.
“I couldn’t just walk away, saying I wouldn’t have a go,” she said.
She sees advantages to being a woman in her demanding position.
“Being female can mean you’re more empathetic to victims,” she said.
“Generally you just have to be fit, and willing to have a go. As captain, it’s about knowing people’s strengths and weaknesses, and that’s why you need a variety of different people. You have to know your team.”
She did encounter some sexism when she first started, but discovered that most of her counterparts were willing to support her, particularly an ‘amazing’ area captain and her co-captains around the district.
“I think it comes down more to expertise than gender,” she said.
While QFES was struggling to fill the captain’s position at the Wallangarra station, the organisation upheld its rigorous selection process.
“You still have to meet the standards,” Ms Holstrom said, considering the captain’s responsibility for around $400,000 of equipment and the safety of crewmembers.
While she is shocked by the award, she said she finds her ‘other job’ very rewarding.
She teaches at a number of primary schools around the district and can often be seen and heard at this time of year as the lone bugler at various Anzac Day commemorations.
Firefighting, however, is something completely different.
“Fifteen years ago I never thought I’d be doing anything like this, but I live just across the road (from the station) and I thought this is something I can do for my community.”
She said it’s challenging and frustrating to attract new recruits, particularly given the fairly transient nature of the local workforce.
The station gets 15 to 20 callouts a year, provides backup to Stanthorpe crews and also helps out this side of the border as required. The crew trains each Tuesday evening at the station.
The crew is like a firefighter’s second family, often out together in the middle of the night attending an accident or stuck at a fire.
Just as in Tenterfield, the local station is looking both for people who work in the area and can attend daytime callouts, as well of those who return after work and can attend after-hours callouts.
“It’s not for everyone,” Ms Holstrom said.
“We want people who want to be here, and anyone who’s interested can come down on a Tuesday evening and have a look, and maybe attend one of the training sessions.”
She said it’s very important for small towns to retain their emergency services.
“It’s too easy for them to slip under the radar.”
Ever the community worker, Ms Holstrom also put the call out to any infirm Wallangarra residents who need help to replace their smoke alarm batteries. She can be contacted on 0418 511 766.