A committed firefighting program in New South Wales is helping Indigenous youth take control of their futures. It matches them with inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors. Since launching in 2014, the initiative has been teaching young, hopeful firefighters. Among them are Hannah Berman and Michael Bolt, two of the graduates who as a cohort graduated from an in-depth, seven-month training program. The program is deeply committed to helping Indigenous people of all backgrounds realize their dreams of becoming professional firefighters. More broadly, this initiative develops deep community engagement and cultural identity.
The program has to date graduated more than eighty Indigenous graduates. Now, the majority of them are serving as firefighters down in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. This exciting initiative helps diversify the firefighting workforce and builds local role models within Indigenous communities, igniting a passion for stewardship among future generations.
To hear more about what this program means to her, here’s aspiring firefighter Hannah Berman. She views it as an opportunity to make a tangible difference in her life. She just wants to make a difference in the lives of the people around her.
“Well, I think firefighters are heroes, honestly, like the work that they do, the dangerous work, they put their lives on the line every single day to serve their community and save lives. And I want to be a part of that team and make a difference. I want to be a role-model for my family, my younger family that look up to me as well…. and just a role model in general, you know.” – Hannah Berman
Berman stressed her family’s legacy, mentioning her uncle Danny Eastwood at a national convention as the first recognized Indigenous firefighter. This familial connection makes her mission to become a firefighter all the more personal.
Michael Bolt explains that his reason for entering the program comes from a personal loss to gun violence. He also lost his brother to suicide earlier this year, whose dream as well was to become a firefighter. For Bolt, this program is a way to not only keep his brother’s legacy alive, but to fulfill his own dreams.
“I lost my brother at the start of the year and he was also someone that wanted to be a firefighter, so it’s been hard going through a grieving process and also doing this program, but I’m doing it for him, for me and him, you know?” – Michael Bolt
This variety among participants is indicative of the dynamic mix of backgrounds and motivations that we see at each of our convenings. Most of the members, young people and seniors alike, are motivated by a desire to serve their communities. At the same time, they are fiercely committed to their cultural roots. The mentorship component provides critical guidance. Participants can rely on support from mentors who have firsthand familiarity with their lived experiences and challenges.
