Being the first female captain of the Gordon Fire Brigade will not change a thing for Diane Lawson.
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The 15-year volunteer began her career almost as a favour after a friend stepped down from the role as secretary/treasurer.
It is a role she held for 12 years alongside others including Brigade Community Safety Coordinator, Junior Leader, Fire Safe Kids Presenter, Juvenile Fire Awareness and Intervention Practitioner an and a member of the Volunteer Reference Group operating from CFA’s Headquarters in Burwood organising the annual Community Safety Forums.
Captain Lawson is an active firefighter for the brigade and most recently gained her medium rigid licence to enable her to drive the brigade’s tanker.
She has been involved in a number of incidents over the years including the 2009 fires and Tasmanian fires
“Being chosen for this role by my peers is an honour,” Captain Lawson said.
"I have a great brigade management team to help me and, while the buck may stop with me, I have complete faith in my team and the wider brigade.”
Captain Lawson said she had gained from being part of the fire brigade as she has become more interested in the emergency management sector as a whole which led to her participation and subsequent volunteer teaching in the Volunteer Leadership Development Program run by AEMI.
She then completed an Advanced Diploma Public Safety: Emergency Management.
“The lessons I've learned within the brigade have been just as important,” she said.
“Interpersonal relationships with different members of the community who join the brigade, working as a team with the same common goals and being part of a larger organisation have been very rewarding.
"I know that firefighting isn’t for everyone, but if anyone is thinking of joining the CFA, my advice is have a go, you might be surprised."
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