Women take bushfire preparation into their own hands

Gemma Woodmore noticed a need for improved bushfire education for women after receiving numerous calls and messages from concerned friends during a fire in Western Australia's Midwest. The coastal town of Dongara, 350 kilometers north of Perth, experiences frequent bushfires, with several Emergency Warning level incidents in recent years.

Woodmore, a beautician, decided to organize a comprehensive fire preparation day specifically for women, titled "Her Safety, Her Plan." She observed that firefighting spaces were often male-dominated, causing women to feel intimidated and miss out on vital advice. Men tend to attend fire meetings where they are instructed on what they need to do, but women are not given the same guidance.

Since joining the volunteer fire brigade, Woodmore has seen firsthand how welcoming the male-dominated field can be. Freya Smyth, another participant, recalled a wake-up call she received in 2024 when a fire came just 300 meters from her house. She had no evacuation plan and was left vulnerable when her horses needed to be moved to safety.

Mick Antony, a local community emergency services manager, organized the workshop to ensure women received the necessary education and skills. Most people have the basics of an emergency plan, but often lack the finer details that are crucial during high-pressure situations. Antony emphasized the importance of having a muster point at home and conducting evacuation drills.

The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including home preparedness, evacuation plans, practical training on using a fire extinguisher, and other local governments looking to host similar events. Antony stressed that these skills can be applied to various emergencies, such as cyclones, floods, and severe storms. He advised individuals to create a solid plan, including multiple backup routes, and to prepare an emergency kit containing identification documents, ideally stored digitally for easy access if evacuation becomes necessary.