Not only men but also women possess extraordinary spirit in becoming firefighters. The Katuyung Firefighter Team proves this through a special training program, Firewoman Training, bringing significant transformation for these remarkable women. It was conducted on 1st September in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.
“As women, we believe that we can do anything. We are all the same, whether men or women,” emphasized Salsa, a volunteer participating in the Firewoman Training. This brief training provides valuable preparation, gearing them up as frontline guardians in extinguishing forest fires in Palangka Raya, Kalimantan.
In this training, 14 women with diverse backgrounds have joined, many of whom lack prior experience or involvement in field activities. However, their spirit and courage have paved the way to challenge stereotypes about women in the firefighting profession. The training happened for two days. First day was designed specifically for indoor theoretical training, including the demonstration of safety gear use and standards of procedure. On the second day, the training was done on the field of the burning area located in Petuk Katimpun, Palangkaraya. The participants practiced what they have learned; holding nozzles, connecting the water hose, turning on the water pump machine, team work, etc. Unexpectedly, during the training, the real big fires occurred in the forest just 30 meters from our location. It was truly a real field experience.
Firewoman Training is not just about physical courage but also imparts the technical skills required to be effective firefighters. These women prove that with determination and spirit, they can overcome challenges and positively contribute to environmental safety. “The action initiated by the Katuyung Team has a significant impact on young people. The interest of women in becoming firefighters may be rare, but not for the Katuyung Firefighter Team,” stated Detry who joined the firewoman team afterward.
The Katuyung Firefighter Team’s action provides a space where young women can contribute to the effort to protect the forest, support communities, and break stereotypes