She is the first woman to be appointed as acting deputy captain of the Fire and Rescue NSW Nowra brigade.

The Nowra brigade, which is the retained force, was formed 124 years ago.

Rebecca joined the brigade two years ago, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“I have wanted to be a firefighter from when I was young,” she said.

“The opportunity came, my family were supportive of the idea, with my husband Ian all for it.

“I have always had a passion to give back to the community. It is a great feeling when you do.”

The family relocated from Sydney where Rebecca worked at the airport in the control room as well as taking part in a surveillance role.

“While it is a predominantly a male dominated workforce, I have never had any problems,” she said.

“It is no different from working with the surveillance and security sections.

“Everyone has been very supportive.”

She said the fact she has made history actually hasn’t sunk in yet.

“I was a bit shocked and surprised at the same time when I was told I’d actually made history,” she said.

“I would definitely encourage other women take the leap and get involved.”

She said Nowra Captain John Dun had been a great support.

“He has always been very supportive and has encouraged all of us to go for roles,” she said.

Rebecca is also as motor driver and pump operator.

“Some people are surprised when I say I’m a firie,” she said “a lot of people see our role as very daunting, having to respond to emergency situations.

“But you just get in and do the job you have to do. You know deep down inside you are ready, you have done all the training and can do anything.”

She said she hopes to be able to apply for the job on a permanent basis when it becomes available.

“In any job I have had I have always wanted to go as far as I possibly can, the fire brigade is no different,” she said.

“If I’m able to apply I certainly will.”

Nowra captain John Dun said he was proud of Rebecca’s achievement.

“The fire brigade has a long tradition here in Nowra and for Rebecca to be the first female acting duty captain is certainly special,” he said.

“The first female member of the Nowra brigade was in 1997, we currently have three female members - with Hayley Dun and Jo Burns also part of the team.

“I’m very proud of Bec and all the staff we have in Nowra. In our last recruits a few years ago we had three very good female applicants and all were successful in gaining positions here.

“They are all making inroads here - their achievements are very hard to believe sometimes.

“There is the perception it is a male orientated industry but that’s just not there any more.

“These three young women are magnificent firefighters and I hope we can get some more in the future.

“Bec has shown she can do the job. She has always shown a keen interest in the admin side of things and she took to driving appliances like a duck to water.

“Her first job driving the tanker was to a big structural fire and she passed with flying colours.”