What an amazing couple of days we had in Wagga Wagga delivering two adult programs with Girls on Fire! It was such a rewarding experience to introduce people from all kinds of working backgrounds to the hands-on world of fire and emergency volunteering and careers. We ran a women-only day on 27 November and a mixed-gender day on 28 November, and both were full of energy, curiosity, and big smiles.

Why We Ran the Program

The Fire, Flood & Emergency Services Job Pathways Program – Riverina is all about giving adults a real taste of what working in fire and emergency services is like. Participants gain practical skills across a variety of situations, including fire safety, flood management, casualty handling, and road crash rescue. It’s designed to help people explore roles they can take anywhere, from urban centres to regional, remote, or coastal areas, and see what different agencies can offer.

It’s not just about skills. It’s about finding meaningful work, volunteer opportunities, steady employment, and ongoing learning. Whether you’re sporty, love science, care about climate and landcare, enjoy helping people, or thrive on variety, there’s a role for you.

Workforce Australia Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program recognised this need and helped Girls on Fire make it happen! 

How the Days Went

The women-only day welcomed 18 participants and 20 volunteers, and the mixed-gender day had 7 participants and 16 volunteers. Generously hosted by the SES Southern Zone HQ at Ashmont, the program gave everyone the chance to try out real emergency scenarios and get hands-on experience with a variety of agencies.

A big thank you to VRA Rescue NSW, Ventia Services, NSW SES, NSW RFS, and Workforce Australia Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program for helping make it happen. Everyone loved every minute of the experience, from learning practical skills to connecting with people who are passionate about emergency services.

What Participants Got Out of It

Participants walked away with:

• Practical skills they can use in real emergencies
• A better understanding of the range of roles in fire and emergency services
• Confidence to explore volunteering or career pathways
• Insights into work that genuinely makes a difference in the community

“We were fortunate to attend a Girls on Fire Program in Wagga earlier in the year that was funded by the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) Program. Through our RIEP colleague, we were introduced to Bronnie and had the discussion as to whether it would be possible to pilot a program targeted at participants looking for work. Fast forward to the end of November, and two excellent workshops were held! It was great to see the participants get involved in the activities and take up the opportunity to speak directly with the Emergency Service personnel and mentors that were present. It was an excellent way to showcase the Emergency Service Industry and provide a platform for anyone interested in pursing this as a career to be able to make an informed decision” Nadine Whalan, Job Coordinator, Workforce Australia Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program.

“Fire and emergency services work tirelessly to keep communities safe, and I’ve seen firsthand how many people find meaningful careers through their ranks. Being able to bring volunteering and career opportunities in fire and emergency services directly to adults in the Riverina, including those exploring employment pathways through Workforce Australia, is a real privilege. I can’t wait to see the new connections, career journeys, and success stories that come from this program!” Bronnie Mackintosh, CEO and Founder, Girls on Fire.  

Join Us in 2026

We’re planning some exciting 2026 programs and locations, helping more people explore meaningful careers and volunteering opportunities in fire, flood, and emergency services.

If you’re inspired to bring a Girls on Fire program to your region, now is the time to get in touch.