What better way to give back then to provide a vital service to the town of Scone.
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This is the challenge Scone woman Leanne Clark puts out to all people this spring, especially other women.
Leanne is currently the sole woman firefighter on the team at Fire and Rescue Scone and says she’d love to see more join her.
The mother of two has been a local firie for the past six years after first joining the Aberdeen brigade when she and her family moved back to the Upper Hunter area.
After moving to Scone two and a half years later, Leanne transferred to the Scone team where she is one of 13 retained firefighters.
Coming from an active physical background as a television commercial and movie stunt performer of 16 years and running her own horse breaking and training business, Leanne has the added advantage of fitness, but said after hearing advertisements to join the brigade she had the chance to fulfil a long held dream of hers.
“When we were living at the Central Coast I would have loved to go for a permanent job with Fire and Rescue either at the coast or in Sydney, but due to my husband’s work commitments we moved back to the Upper Hunter.
“So when I heard the local ad, I contacted the guys in Aberdeen and they were brilliant,” Leanne said.
“There is a big need for firefighters that are available during the day in country towns.
“I work at home and can avail myself to answer call outs, so it suits.
“I didn’t get into it until my late thirties after two children, but I wish I joined when I was younger.”
New members are inducted with a four day training program and continued training each fortnight, which is all paid for with the call outs to fires, hazardous material spills and motor vehicle accidents.
Leanne said the training is fantastic as the trainers take the time to teach you to get the confidence in using the equipment, for example the breathing apparatus, the pumps, different water pressures and much more.
Leanne encouraged anyone interested in joining up to contact the station and have a chat, especially other women in the community.
“Yes, you do need to be fit, but you’re silly not to be at the end of the day because you need to wear full PPE, heavy boots, carry equipment and pull a hose.
“But we work together as a team and we communicate to get the job done,” she said.
“The training is exciting - you learn the dos and don’ts, how a fire works and also how to increase fire safety in your own home.”
Leanne said being a woman doesn’t affect her contribution with the only equipment to challenge her being the Jaws of Life used in crash rescue, due to their weight.
She said the fact that three women followed in her footsteps in Aberdeen was encouraging because it means women realise they can do it.
“The reason I do it is because I love to help and have always enjoyed helping in an emergency.
“It’s exciting and you get an adrenalin rush.
“Being a small town, it can be hard to attend a house fire or emergency involving someone you know, but I’d rather be able to help then have to stand back,” she said.
Anyone interested in joining can contact the station on 6545 1294.