Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has discontinued a firefighting camp designed to encourage girls to enter the profession [1].
The removal of the program marks a shift in recruitment efforts for a field that has historically seen low female representation. By targeting students early in their education, the initiative sought to build a pipeline of qualified women for future emergency service roles.
The weekend camp was tailored for students in years nine and 10 [1]. Participants engaged in a variety of simulated emergency scenarios, including road crash responses, and swiftwater rescues [1]. The curriculum also focused on physical fitness training to prepare students for the rigorous demands of firefighting [1].
According to reports, the program was described as a "hugely successful" camp before it was scrapped after one year [1]. The initiative aimed to boost female firefighter participation by providing young women with a direct look at the operational realities of the job [1].
While the QFES program was short-lived, similar efforts have been seen elsewhere. Capt. Corey Condren launched a program in 2018 to increase the number of women in the San Jose Fire Department [2]. Such programs typically aim to break down barriers to entry by providing mentorship and skill-based exposure to high school students.
The QFES camp operated during June 2024 [1]. Despite the reported success of the event, the agency has not maintained the program for a second cycle.
“"Hugely successful' camp scrapped after one year"”
The discontinuation of the QFES camp suggests a tension between the reported success of recruitment initiatives and the budgetary or administrative priorities of the agency. Because firefighting remains a male-dominated profession, the removal of early-intervention programs may slow the pace of gender diversification within Queensland's emergency services.
