Flying to new heights in a Victorian first

In celebration of International Women of Aviation Worldwide Week (IWoAW), we recognise the women who are part of our aerial firefighting fleet.

IWoAW is a global aviation awareness week to mark the anniversary of the world’s first female pilot licence which was issued in France on March 8, 1910.

Late last year the first two female firefighting air attack supervisors were accredited in the Victoria’s history.

One of these AAS was Rhianna Burns with Parks Victoria (PV).

Rhianna has been a firefighter with PV for 17 years and was looking to be challenged.

‘Before becoming an air attack supervisor, I was an air observer,’ Rhianna said.

‘I really wanted to look at fighting fires from a different angle.

‘And the air is definitely that!

‘There were no females in the air attack supervisor role, and I thought why there are no women in the role, I am going to have a go and make a change.’

The air attack supervisor is responsible for the safe and efficient strategic coordination of aircraft operations around the fire ground.

They sit in either a support helicopter or light plane and provide directions to the pilots of firebombing aircraft where to drop their load of water or retardant so it is most effective in suppressing the fire. The AAS will also help helicopter pilots locate suitable water sources near the fire.

Rhianna feels that aircraft are a key tool in the state’s firefighting operations.

‘Aircraft have unique capabilities in regard to their speed in response to first attack fires,’ Rhianna said.

‘They are able to be deployed quickly and cover a greater distance to respond to direct attack of a fire to try and stop the fire.

‘Aircraft can arrive first at fires as well as reach areas where the terrain is difficult before ground crews.

‘Areas of difficult terrain aircraft have the advantage of suppressing the fire without tree risk which is frequently encountered by ground crews.’

Rhianna has received some great support and advice over the years.

‘I have had an amazing core group of women (one in particular) who have helped, supported, and guided me through this journey, and I will be forever grateful,’ Rhianna said.

‘There are also a group of men that had my back.

‘I have also received some great pieces of good advice along the way.

‘If he can, so can she; and life is not so much what you accomplish as what you overcome.

‘But my favourite piece comes from someone who helped me a lot – to move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.’

Rhianna feels it is important for women to believe in themselves and always ask questions.

‘It would be amazing to see more women in the aviation space,’ Rhianna said.

‘Whilst representation is increasing on the ground, we need to support women in providing opportunities to be in the air.

‘This starts on the ground.

‘There needs to be more development of women into operations officer and sector commander roles to give them the knowledge to be able to use it in the air attack supervisor role or air observer role.

‘Let women know what the role entails and what it is like - you can’t do what you can’t see.’