Fifty years ago it certainly wasn't a common sight to see a woman pull on a yellow uniform, hop on a fire truck and head out to fight a fire.
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But as the 21st century rolled around, more women are raising their hands to help out and the Rural Fire Service South West Slopes Zone intends on keeping it that way.
That's why next Saturday, April 30 they're hosting a Women in the RFS recruitment and demonstration day.
The event will take place in the Young Services Club car park, behind the Westpac Bank, from 10am.
There will be fire drills, radio communication displays, meet and greets, sausage sizzle, games and activities for children and those young at heart, and membership and information packs available.
Organisers are also hoping to arrange a face painting stand for youngsters.
"Come along and join in," South West Slopes Zone District Support Brigade captain Louise Livermore said.
"So far we have six captains from various brigades from around the zone attending, as well as a number of group captains and several firefighters."
And Louise said it's not only about the women, anyone is welcome to come along.
The idea for the day arose following the formation of a women's working group last June that features a number of female firefighters from around the zone (Young, Boorowa, Harden and Cootamundra) and selected staff members from the Harden Fire Control Centre.
Their focus is to encourage more women into the service, and with that, more women into leadership roles.
With just one female captain and only three others in deputy captain roles, men in the zone outnumber women almost five to one.
Fellow committee member Ruth McDevitt said firefighting was a male dominated field and they were out to break the stigma.
"By joining the RFS it gives you skills for life, it gives you friendship, satisfaction of serving the community, and skills that could be used in other areas of your working lives," she said.
"The RFS needs volunteers and there's such a lack of female representation," Louise added.
"You don't have to be strong to join, there's plenty of different jobs to do and jobs behind the scenes, women just need to have belief in themselves."
Louise said they were also encouraging young females to join the local fire cadets and stay to advance on to a brigade when they turn 17.