Women take the wheel at CFA training

Sixteen women from across three CFA districts took the wheel on fire tankers and other vehicles at Noojee earlier this month as part of a training day aimed at challenging stereotypes.
The women's driving experience day brought together participants aged from their 20s to their 60s from CFA Districts 8, 9 and 10.
Noojee Fire Brigade secretary and brigade training officer Vicky Booth said the day gave women an opportunity to build their skills and confidence behind the wheel of vehicles they might not ordinarily get to drive.
The event catered for different levels of experience, including women wanting to build confidence driving larger vehicles on the steep, narrow and winding roads around Noojee.
Participants practised driving tankers, an ultra-light firefighting vehicle and a field command vehicle.
Noojee was the first brigade to test a new CFA driver training simulator being rolled out for brigade members across the state.
Ms Booth said the event was designed to challenge the idea that women were not suited to driving large firefighting vehicles.
"I think it breaks down some stereotypes," she said.
She said volunteer retention was another important reason for holding the day, with many households now relying on two incomes and brigades continually needing new members.
"It is all about retention of volunteers," Ms Booth said.
She described the day as a success and hoped it could become a regular event.
Ms Booth said similar events were likely to be held elsewhere, and she hoped Noojee would host another one next year.
"It is all about driving change if you will pardon the pun," she said.