About Us
Our Vision
Promoting equity across our sector to empower all women to embrace their strengths.
OUR MISSION
In collaboration with individuals, communities and emergency services, we build confidence and empower women to achieve their full potential and be supported, as women, in their roles within our sector.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of WAFA are:
- To facilitate and support women in taking an active role in defining and shaping the role of women in the firefighting and emergency services industries by promoting the expectations of and contribution by women to the sector.
- To provide a vehicle for women, in conjunction with their colleagues in the industry, to:
- foster and promote increased understanding and awareness of the contribution and capabilities that women bring to the firefighting and emergency management sector;
- create opportunities for frank exchange and discussion of the challenges, issues and opportunities for women in the sector;
- facilitate change through solutions and actions cooperatively developed with our colleagues in the sector; and
- generate opportunities for the development of knowledge and practical experience in roles of leadership and management.
HISTORY
In 2005, the inaugural Australasian Women in Firefighting Forum (WIFF 2005) was held at the Holiday Inn, Sydney Airport.
Three resolutions were made at this Forum:
- A report on the Forum was to be presented to the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) — completed in 2006;
- Another Conference was to be held — Women in Firefighting 2006 was held at Darling Harbour in Sydney in June 2006; and
- A professional association was to be established for women in the Australasian firefighting industry.
Consequently, Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) was incorporated in November 2007. Since that time WAFA has been steadily working to promote women in firefighting by working with organisations, fire services and individual members.
WAFA has experience running several highly successful conferences since the inaugural Women in Firefighting forum in Sydney in 2005. Since then conferences have been held in Darling Harbour, the Yarra Valley, Adelaide, Canberra, and most recently in Brisbane in 2016.