Melissa Cain wants residents in the municipality to know firefighting isn’t just a “male thing”.
The Hoppers Crossing primary school teacher has been a volunteer firefighter for the Country Fire Authority for about 13 years.
“Being a female is often the hardest [part], sometimes we are treated differently compared to guys,” she said.
“Females are more than capable of doing it, just as well as a male is.
Ms Cain was this year announced the Hoppers Crossing Fire Brigade’s Firefighter of the Year, an accomplishment she said was “definitely a shock”.
“I had 100 per cent banked on a couple of other people, not me, I didn’t even think I was in the running,” she said.
“This is the second time I’ve won it…i’m definitely proud because it is pretty full on.”
Ms Cain is only one of two people to have ever won the award twice, and learnt it was her dedication to her duty and her leadership skills that help her nab the achievement.
While there’s “lots of good things” about being a firefighter, there’s one thing in particular Ms Cain said she really appreciates.
“Meeting people and getting to work with them…you make friends that I would never have made had a not joined the CFA,” she said.
The Hoppers Crossing Fire Brigade is currently recruiting new members to support all aspects of the brigade.
Details: link.hxfb.org.au/volunteer
