It is the first time since the brigade was officially formed 108 years ago that it has had a female member.

However, records go back even further to the mid 1890s when the Berry Volunteer Brigade was formed. Interestingly the brigade is still at the same location at 26 Prince Alfred Street.

“It feels great to be the first female firefighter at Berry FRNSW,” said Emmy, who is a retained recruit.

“I’m excited to be part of the team and helping my local community. And to be part of an organisation that is really important.”

She has continued her family’s connection with firefighting, her brother was previously a member of the Kiama Fire Brigade, while her father was also a member of the Rural Fire Service when she was young.

As for being the first female, she hopes it is the stepping stone for other women to join the brigade.

“Hopefully other women recognise they can be part of the organisation. It’s not just a boys club,” she said.

Read more: Berry and Nowra fire stations open doors to public | photos

                     Rebecca Chapman first Nowra acting fire deputy captain

                    Nowra firefighters pumped to be on the road

“The Berry Brigade is far from that. They have all been very welcoming and helpful and definitely made me feel part of the team.”

Although she has started some of her training locally with Berry members, she won’t be officially qualified until she completes an official nine-day training course in July.

There she will learn the values of the fire brigade and the technical abilities on how to fight fires, use the different hoses and the truck and even first aid.

“It will be a challenge but exciting,” Emmy said.

“It’s been great being able to turn up and do drills but it is a bit disappointing when the brigade turns out to a call and you have to stay behind.

“Hopefully, come mid July that will all change.

“I think the more people who see women out doing hands on manual work the better.

“Hopefully they will notice that you don’t have to have the classic male strength and that women are incredibly strong in many ways and have the physicality to take on the traditional male careers.”

Joining the fire brigade has certainly been a major career change for Emmy.

The 26-year-old has previously worked for Greenpeace in Germany and the Ministry of Justice and Community Services in Vanuatu.

“I come from a more professional, computer based background in my previous jobs,” she said.

“I guess I’ve had a couple of dream jobs already but in the last couple of years wanted to change my direction and do something different.”

Wanting to work with her hands at grassroots level and help her community, she became a market gardener at Gerringong.

“I grew up at Kiama and have strong family ties with the Berry area, a lot of my family are down there and at Jaspers Brush,” she said.

“I’m working at Buena Vista Farm and having a great time. The fire brigade compliments that work and those beliefs and ethics.

“I’m also doing something different every day.”