Some people discover their calling early, and for Erin Tassell, that moment came while hanging out of helicopters above roaring bushfires in Canada's Banff National Park. Today, this trailblazing firefighter is celebrating a career milestone that opens doors for countless women behind her.

Growing up in a forestry family in Prince George, British Columbia, Tassell felt completely at home in the wilderness. Her first helicopter ride as a child sparked no fear, only fascination. That confidence served her well when she took a summer job as a seasonal firefighter while attending university. "I think I knew pretty early on that's what I wanted to do, and that's the career I wanted to pursue," she recalls warmly.

That early instinct has led to two decades of remarkable service and a historic achievement. In late 2025, Tassell became the first female duty officer at Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. It's a role that carries enormous responsibility, overseeing bushfire management, whale rescues, and emergency incident response across a staggering 34 million hectares of national parks, marine parks, and state forests.

The journey to this groundbreaking position took Tassell from one extreme to another, quite literally. After relocating to Australia in 2019, she moved from the frigid Canadian winter to the scorching wet season in Western Australia's Kimberley region. The dramatic climate shift didn't slow her down. She quickly established herself as a fire aviation manager, coordinating bushfire suppression efforts across the state.

In her new role, Tassell manages everything from prescribed burns to lost hiker searches, bringing her extensive helicopter firefighting experience to bear on diverse challenges. "I enjoy the mental challenge that comes with it," she says enthusiastically. "It certainly tests a lot of the skills that I have and it's also bringing a lot of skills to my repertoire as well."

Why This Inspires

What makes Tassell's achievement particularly meaningful is how she's viewing it as a beginning rather than an endpoint. While acknowledging that leadership roles in fire and emergency management have historically been male-dominated, she's optimistic about the progress she's witnessed over her 20-year career.

"It's exciting to be in the role, and I think it's one of those things where the hope is that I'm the first, but certainly there are more to come," she says with characteristic humility. Her message to other women considering careers in this field radiates encouragement: "We need to continue to promote diversity in this space. Take the giant leap of faith. It's a great career with lots of opportunity and support to work in land and fire management."

Tassell's journey from that fearless child in her first helicopter to becoming WA's first female duty officer demonstrates that persistence, passion, and courage can transform an entire industry. She's not just fighting fires anymore. She's lighting the way for the next generation of female emergency management leaders, proving that when someone breaks through a barrier, they create a pathway for countless others to follow.