Help extinguish sexism in the firefighting sector

I am Commander Donna Wheatley, and I have worked as a firefighter for 20 years. I dedicated my career to community safety and championing gender equity in fire services - still, only 4% of operational firefighters in Australia are women. Even fewer are in the upper ranks of operations.

I have sustained a workplace injury of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which my employer's insurer has accepted liability. I will lose my career as a direct result of this injury. My injury was caused and exacerbated by a systemic failure of our organisation. These failures result in ongoing tolerance of sexual harassment and discrimination in fire stations across the state, with little or no consequence for perpetrators, failing systems of reporting and investigation and a culture of the footy clubs of the 90's showcasing toxic masculinity.

I took on a legal battle in the hope of leaving a legacy of my time at MFB. I won't be able to return to work there but I hope that others will be better protected and responded to as a result of my efforts. Everyone deserves to be safe at work, to belong and be accepted for who they are. That is not the case in my workplace.

One year ago I took a legal letter of demand to MFB - with clarity about the change to reporting and investigation processes that are needed. I have been calling out the systemic sexism for years - putting my safety and professional reputation on the line to call for a change in the damaging systems at MFB.

I have now been tied up in legal processes that have cost me more than $100,000.00 - and have cost the community much more, no doubt. More than that, it has cost me a year of my life and the continued aggravation of my workplace injury. The legal strength of a publicly funded statutory authority is much more than any one person. The fight is long and hard, but I will stay the distance to get a just outcome and influence a better future for the fire services of Victoria. For all the people who work within the organisation and the community the organisation is funded to serve.

I need your help to fund the ongoing legal battle further.

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Read the story in The Age on the link below.

Senior firefighter calls out sexual harassment