Three generations fighting fires

At 6 years old, Madison Innes wanted to be a firefighter, just like her grandmother.

Now, with her recently joining the Omarama Volunteer Fire Brigade, that dream has come true.

It is also remarkable because Madison is now the third generation of Innes women actively volunteering for the brigade.

Her grandmother, Geva Innes, was a pioneering first responder for the brigade and still serves on it at age 71, while Madison’s mother Tania is a firefighter and first responder.

Madison said as a young girl she would get excited about the thought of being part of callouts when Geva’s pager went off.

"I’d be like, ‘can I go with you?’. She’d say ‘no you can’t go with me, you’re not part of the blimmin’ fire brigade’.

"I’d beg her to go.

"I thought, I’ll become part of the fire brigade one day," Madison said.

In May this year Madison, now 19, made good on that vow and joined the Omarama crew as an operational support recruit firefighter.

She still gets the same "adrenaline rush" hearing the service alarm now as she did as a child.

Three generations of the Innes family (from left) Geva, Tania and Madison, are members of the...
Three generations of the Innes family (from left) Geva, Tania and Madison, are members of the Omarama Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Omarama Chief Fire Officer Greg Harper, who has 28 years experience as part of the volunteer brigades, said seeing three generations of women in one brigade was unique in his experience.

"The first time all three were in their gear together, it was pretty exciting to see.

"Maddy’s coming along and we’ll hopefully move her through the ranks too," CFO Harper said.

One of the first in the country to be trained as a medical first responder, Geva has seen many changes in her time as a firefighter.

Where she joined the brigade in 1997, there were two other female firefighters, but more women were be coming firefighters and first responders now.

Technology had changed a lot, as had health and safety requirements.

Madison had been a "brigade baby" present at the station’s many barbecues, open days or Christmas parties over the years, and said brigade members were like an "extra family" to her.

Although the trio had not attended a callout together yet, Tania and Geva had been out on several callouts together.

Being a firefighter was about continuously challenging yourself and trying new things.

"There’s no easy way through just because you’re a female.

"I like that side of it, you’re treated as an equal," Tania said.