All-woman firefighting crew a first for Blaxland
With 75 years’ combined experience, Blaxland’s first all-woman firefighting crew is a force to be reckoned with.
The Blue Mountains News
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BLAXLAND fielded its first all woman firefighting crew today.
“It’s been a long time coming,” driver Elizabeth ‘Libby’ McKervey, who joined Blaxland Rural Fire Service (RFS) some 29 years ago, said.
Ms McKervey was signed off as a driver about a year ago and deputy captain Emily Rawbone was signed off as an Officer in Charge four years ago — but it’s taken till now for the women to both be available to serve.
Barbara Dubi, Wendy Hemmons, Taylor Haora and Renee Schembri round off the all-woman crew.
“It’s fabulous,” Ms McKervey said.
The crew has been working around the Glenbrook-Lapstone area today, cutting trails.
“We’ve had a great morning,” Ms McKervey said.
“We do a lot of laughing. I’m an ex theatre nurse and the use of humour is really important in any situation of extreme stress.”
Blaxland RFS senior deputy captain, Craig Smith, said “Mother Nature had better watch out” given the crew has over 75 years’ combined experience.
Mr Smith, who is also the RFS east sector divisional commander, told The Blue Mountains News the 61-year-old brigade has 60 to 70 active members. Of those, 33 percent are women.
“I’m not sure if this is a first in the Blue Mountains district,” Mr Smith said.
“We’re all very proud we could throw them altogether to let them do the magic that they do.”
Blaxland RFS operates three vehicles: A Category 1 or Cat 1 tanker; a Cat 7 tanker; and a personnel carrier.