Firefighter Creates Women's Day After Daughter's Death

When Kahlia Lloyd lost her nine-year-old daughter to a brain tumor, the Bunbury fire brigade showed up without hesitation to escort the funeral procession. That moment of compassion sparked a journey that would transform Lloyd's grief into empowerment.

"I joined up so I could give back to them for helping me out and so I could remember my daughter along the way," Lloyd said. Nearly four years later, she's now a volunteer firefighter in Beelerup, about 200 kilometers south of Perth.

Lloyd describes firefighting as one of the most empowering experiences of her life. She's one of six women in her volunteer unit, and she's determined to change those numbers.

Last month, Lloyd organized an open day at her brigade's shed on International Women's Day. Women tried firefighting drills and used virtual reality headsets to simulate defending properties from bushfires, all without any pressure to sign up.

"I wanted to create a space where women could come and experience what it is like to be a firefighter," Lloyd explained. "It's an incredible experience, but it's also a very male-dominant environment, which can feel quite confronting for some women."

She plans to make the event annual.

The Ripple Effect

The numbers tell the story: women make up just 27 percent of Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services workforce. In volunteer bushfire brigades specifically, about 4,400 women serve compared to 15,473 men.

But change is happening. Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Terri Kowal, who joined over three decades ago when women in firefighting were rare, has now led all-female crews to fires.

"I haven't met a woman yet who can't manage to do something without the help of a guy," Kowal said. She credits cadet programs for bringing in strong numbers of young women and believes having a female captain makes joining less intimidating.

Historical attitudes and inadequate facilities have played their part in the gender gap. Some brigades still lack proper changing facilities for women, relying on curtained-off areas instead.

Acting superintendent Chris Sousa welcomes efforts to recruit more women. "There have been areas where localities and communities have relied on women solely to turn out to jobs, on the basis that the men have been working away," he noted.

From personal tragedy to community leadership, Lloyd is proving that the best way to honor loss is through service that opens doors for others.