The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has cancelled its Girls Firefighter Experience Camp after running the initiative for just one year, despite the program being widely praised by participants, firefighters and senior leaders. The free camp was introduced to inspire Year 9 and Year 10 girls to consider careers in frontline firefighting and emergency services.
Held over a weekend in Brisbane during 2024, the camp provided participants with practical experience in firefighting, road crash rescues, swift-water rescue operations, search and rescue activities and physical fitness training. It aimed to give students a realistic understanding of the profession while encouraging more women to pursue firefighting careers.
The initiative received strong support across the department and was recognised with a Queensland Fire Department Commissioner's Award for Excellence in 2025. Schools reportedly expressed interest in future camps, and officials said there was significant demand from students wanting to participate in another program.
Despite its success, the camp has not returned. The decision has disappointed firefighters and supporters, who argue that practical programs like this are an effective way to encourage young women into a profession that remains heavily male-dominated. Several firefighters described the camp as a low-cost initiative that helped participants see firefighting as a realistic career option.
Gender diversity remains a significant challenge within Queensland's frontline fire service. According to department figures, women make up only about 5 per cent of permanent firefighters, while female recruits represented just 2.1 per cent of new permanent firefighter intakes in 2025 and 4.7 per cent in 2026.
Current and former firefighters said improving diversity is important because modern firefighting extends well beyond responding to fires. Firefighters regularly engage with communities through education programs, emergency response, disaster recovery and public safety initiatives, making representation an important part of the service.
The Queensland Fire Department said it remains committed to increasing female participation and is exploring other initiatives to promote firefighting careers for women. The department pointed to ongoing recruitment campaigns, station visits, female firefighter engagement opportunities and its Gender Community of Inclusion and Everyday Respect Framework as alternative measures to attract more women into the profession.
The cancellation has sparked debate about how emergency services can improve workforce diversity while maintaining recruitment standards. Many firefighters believe early exposure programs play an important role in breaking stereotypes and encouraging young women to consider careers they may not have previously imagined.
Although the Girls Firefighter Experience Camp has ended, discussions continue about the best ways to increase female representation within Queensland's emergency services and ensure future generations see firefighting as a career open to everyone.
