Burning ambition now a full-time job

By Callan Date
HALLAM firefighter Josey Sensi always knew she wanted to fight fires for a living and nothing was going to stand in the way of that desire.
Ms Sensi travelled to four states and spent her hard-earned savings in a bid to become a full-time firefighter.
She finally realised the dream in South Australia about eight years ago.
“I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t got into Adelaide.” Ms Sensi said.
Fortunately the 29-year-old didn’t have to ponder that thought at all and has now carved out a successful career as a female firefighter.
Now she wants to do her bit in informing other women about the realities and challenges of the job.
“You don’t get special treatment because you are female and neither should you,” Ms Sensi said.
“A lot of women interested in joining the CFA (Country Fire Authority) have a skewed idea of what is involved.”
Ms Sensi will speak at a Women in CFA information day on Saturday, 3 February at the Fiskville Training College.
She says she wants to give interested women a rundown in the day-to-day life of a CFA member.
“I want to talk about what station life is like, but not as a female member.
“I want to let them know what it is all about for everyone who joins the CFA.”
Women already play a major role in the CFA.
There are more than 10,000 active CFA female volunteers who have contributed to the CFA being Victoria’s largest volunteer organisations as well as one of the largest volunteer-based emergency services in the world.
And Ms Sensi wants even more women to find out the joys and challenges of being involved in the CFA.
For more information about the Women in CFA information day call 1800 232 636 or email volrecruit@cfa.vic.gov.au.