Girls and young women across regional and rural NSW are showing everyone they know how to handle a bushfire as they partake in the Girls on Fire emergency training. 

The Girls on Fire camps started in 2018 and deliver fire and disaster management training for girls and women aged 15 to 19 to increase the participation of women in the fire service.

Only 5 to 7 percent of Australia's firefighting network are women.

"We have to make ourselves available for the girls to experience, wearing the gear and using the equipment and making it feasible for them, so they can see they can do it," Station officer and coordinator for the Girls on Fire training Bronnie Mackintosh said. 

On 31 October, the Girls on Fire camp visited Walgett to give girls from the Walgett High School a peek into what the life of a firewoman looks like. 

Ms Mackintosh said 10 girls from Years 7,9, and 10 participated in the training. 

The Lightning Ridge Fire Service and Police-Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) Walgett also attended the event. 

"They transformed within the day from shy, awkward, nervous teenagers and became really engaged with the activities," Ms Mackintosh said. 

 Girls from the Walgett High School test out the firefighting gear. Photo: supplied

The girls helped get water from the fire truck, learned how to use a breathing apparatus, and recreated rescue scenarios. 

"It was really amazing seeing some of these young women in action. You would like to sign them up straight away," Ms Mackintosh said. 

The day led to more potential future opportunities for fire safety training in Walgett and maybe even a new recruit for the Rural Fire Service (RFS).

"The Lightning Ridge RFS were talking with fire and rescue about working together to run a cadet program for the school," Ms Mackintosh said. 

The day concluded with the girls all putting on the gear,  hopping into the fire truck, and rushing off to an imaginary fire. 

Several of the girls who participated in prior Girls on Fire training sessions later joined the Rural Fire Service as members.

"We've seen them quite regularly join the RFS and we've had others start the process to pursue a career as an airport firefighter or start part-time with Fire and Rescue NSW," Ms Mackintosh said.

On 6 November the Girls on Fire camp will head to Cobar for more fire training. 

"With a bushfire season ahead, it's never more important for us to be ready," Ms Mackintosh said.