At Girls on Fire, we know disasters don’t look the same everywhere or for everyone. That’s why every program we run is shaped by the risks and realities of the local area, from fire to floods, road safety to recovery.
All our Girls on Fire programs give young people a behind-the-scenes view of how Australia manages disaster. By making fire, flood, and emergency services accessible and transparent, we help participants understand how to stay safe and how to support their communities when it matters most.
Let's break it down: How your local Girls on Fire program is helping your area
Urban Focus – Fire, Flood and Diversity in the City
In places like Western Sydney and Bangholme (Melbourne), disaster risk meets diversity. Our urban programs tackle the realities of high-density living, fire in the home, localised flooding, and the challenge of reaching different cultural and language groups.
Our training uses real-world scenarios, from helping ambulance teams and handling hazardous industrial jobs to building community relationships. By working alongside services in CALD communities, we help break down barriers and equip young people with culturally relevant knowledge.
Regional Preparedness – Self-Reliance and Split Risk Profiles
Regional communities face unique risks: long distances, limited access to help, and reliance on volunteer responders. Girls on Fire programs focus on self-sufficiency and how to spot and respond to danger when help may take time to arrive.
Bushfire preparedness is a core focus, but it’s not the only one. Coastal areas deal with erosion and storm surges, while outback communities face dust storms, water shortages, and high heat exposure. We teach young people how to assess risk in their environment and make practical decisions that keep them and their families safe.
Supporting Indigenous Populations – Led by Culture, Grounded in Respect
In areas with high Aboriginal representation—like Northern Rivers—we don’t just teach preparedness. We also build connection and pride. Through Indigenous-led sessions in science, landcare, and cultural fire knowledge, young people learn traditional ways of reading and respecting Country.
We work closely with cultural advisors and Elders to create a safe space that reflects the wisdom of thousands of years of resilience and the strength that comes from knowing who you are and where you come from. Girls on Fire honour the tens of thousands of years our First Nations Peoples have managed the lands, waters, and seas, and highlights how this knowledge is a vital part of today’s disaster management approach.
Resilience and Recovery, Mental Health styleÂ
Disasters leave more than physical scars. That’s why all programs include wellbeing tools: understanding emotional responses, learning self-care, and recognising signs of distress in friends and peers. We teach that looking after your mental health is just as important as physical safety.
That way, Girls on Fire helps young people feel connected in the age of climate and empowered to act in all kinds of ways when they face an emergency.
Flood Literacy – Knowing What to Do, When It Counts
The name may be Girls on Fire, but we routinely design programs that deal with one of the biggest issues facing Australia today – flooding.
Flood awareness is vital across many of our camp regions. Coastal Australia has a long history of flooding, including stories passed down through thousands of years of Indigenous knowledge.
For example, in upcoming programs in the Hunter, and Illawarra, participants will learn how to prepare, respond and recover from flood, including how to make a flood prevention and evacuation plan for themselves and their families.
Preparing for the Unexpected
Misadventure, car accidents, and road trauma are common risks for youth. We provide hands-on training in vehicle rescue awareness, calling for help, and what to do if you’re first on the scene.
Car accidents are a leading cause of trauma for young people. That’s why we include road rescue, vehicle safety, and accident scene awareness in our training, giving young people tools to respond safely if they ever witness or experience a crash. And the experience of seeing firsthand what it takes to perform an extraction.
Got an idea for a future program?
Our aim is to create youth-led preparedness by exploring the various challenges faced by fire and emergency management personnel. With your input, we adapt Girls on Fire programs to suit local risks, strengths, and needs wherever we go. By training young people in disaster prevention, response, and recovery, we’re helping create youth-led resilience, one home, street and community at a time.
Girls on Fire is about building leaders for every disaster season. With customised training, practical safety education, and a focus on inclusion and youth voice, we’re helping the next generation prepare, act and recover—starting at home and reaching street by street.
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