Hayley Dun found the inspiration to become a firefighter from a family member.

“My father has been a firefighter all my life and I know how rewarding a profession it is,” she said. 

“You get a lot of job satisfaction out of it, helping people and helping the community.”

Miss Dun together with colleague Rebecca Chapman recently completed a pump school at the training academy in Canberra, they are the first women to achieve the qualification for the station. 

The course was all about pump operations and problem solving needed for emergency situations.

“It went over a number of days with additional on the job training which teaches us to operate a pumping appliance,” Miss Dun said.

“It simply means Rebecca and I can be utilised to undertake other duties at an incident and to drive the appliance.

“Being the first two female firefighters ever at Nowra 405 station to gain this qualification gives me an immense sense of achievement and satisfaction.” 

Rebecca Chapman said the recruitment process was not without its challenges.

“Training for the physical aptitude test was hard but it all pays off in the end, being fit for the position is a reward in itself,” she said.

“I wanted to be a part of an essential community service and have the knowledge and satisfaction that comes from being in the Fire Brigade.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the job is working on the fire ground and having a positive outcome at the end of a job.”

Miss Dun had advice for women who wanted to pursue a career as a firefighter. 

“Go for it,” she said. 

“Fire and Rescue NSW are very helpful in assisting women to pursue a career as a firefighter.

“There are numerous amounts of information online to prepare your application, your interview and the physical aptitude test.”