Annual CFA women's challenge camps have been taking place across the state giving the women of CFA a chance to come together, push their limits, and get inspired.
The camps are run over one weekend in each CFA region and provide women the opportunity to face physical and mental challenges together while delving into personal development, leadership, team building and networking sessions.
The North East Region held their second ever camp in mid-May and Buxton Fire Brigade's Stacey Mallett said she found a well of self-confidence from attending the camp that has helped in her everyday life.
"I have been with CFA for 20 years, but I been stuck in the mindset that I was just a 5-foot something female so I can't really do anything...coming to the camp gave me confidence in myself again," Stacey said.
"I am terrified of heights and last year when I came, I did the pole and I stopped probably six times going up."
"I didn't think I was going to make it to the top but my goal this year was to improve on that and I got to the top of the pole.
The South East region are pioneers of the women's challenge camp, running their eighth camp in mid-June. Camp organiser Olivia Duffy is a fierce advocate for the women's camp.
"The women who come to the camps always walk away feeling empowered and inspired and it would be great if we could encourage other emergency services, both here and internationally to adopt something that provides that experience for their women," Olivia said.
North East region camp organiser, Tanya Lumley, echoed her sentiments.
"The North East are newer to providing the camps but already they offer our region so much," Tanya said.
"When women are empowered, amazing things can happen."
Chief Officer, Jason Heffernan AFSM, said the camps are an example of the personal development CFA can provide.
"The women in CFA bring so much and it is my hope we can continue to work with them through programs like these to make CFA a more inclusive and supportive place for everyone," Jason said.
The West and North West region also ran their camps throughout May.
