WOMEN, EMERGENCY SERVICES SECTOR

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:48): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: —the Minister for Emergency Services a question about participation by women in the emergency services sector.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: In March, as members may know, celebrations were held for International Women's Day. We all know that women have always played an important and strong role in volunteering in rural communities. Will the minister provide any information available about participation by women in the emergency services sector?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:48): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I was pleased to see the Hon. John Gazzola and yourself, Mr President, at the International Women's Day breakfast recently, along with your staff. Certainly, International Women's Day, which was celebrated on 8 March 2008, provided an opportunity to highlight the contribution women make in the sector. International Women's Day is part of a week of activities held this year during the period 1 to 8 March 2008.

As I visit brigades and units around the state and attend awards presentations, it is obvious that women are a vital part of our services. The often hot, dirty and sometimes dangerous work at the frontline does not put them off. The emergency services sector provides ample challenges for women who want to contribute to community safety, particularly in an emergency. Women can take on any role within the sector, provided the appropriate training—which is the same for men and women—is completed. They can contribute at the scene of an emergency and respond to incidents in an operational capacity or in a support role. There are a number of ways women can get more information about joining one of our emergency services. I suggest that they speak with volunteers in their community and ask them about the emergency services family and what volunteering has meant to them.

In rural communities, almost everyone would know a volunteer in the sector. There are also rural days, show days and other open brigade and unit events where members of the public are welcome to attend and meet with volunteers. The CFS and SES also have a considerable amount of information on their websites: at www.cfs.sa.gov.au and going to the link 'Becoming a volunteer', or at www.ses.sa.gov.au and going to the link 'Joining SES'.

The volunteer management branch also operates a dedicated free call recruitment line—1300 364 587. As at 30 June 2007, we had over 3,500 women in the CFS—that is about 23 per cent female participation. The 580 females in the SES represent nearly 32 per cent of the SES volunteer ranks. I think we all realise that the demands on everyone—women and men alike—in our rural communities is already significant, and that joining an emergency service does impact on their already valuable time. However, I also know that it is a commitment that our volunteers find rewarding and satisfying.

Members would be aware that significant work has also been done to improve participation by women in the Metropolitan Fire Service recruitment process. This is part of a general program of increasing diversity within the service. Last year saw the MFS increase its female firefighters with the addition of five new members. This is more than double the number of women in the fire service. Representation amongst the MFS retained firefighters is better, with over 20 women contributing to community safety in regional centres through their service as retained firefighters.

Our commitment to our emergency services—and, therefore, our volunteers—is steadfast, and we will continue to explore ways to foster the growth.