Of three women in the brigade, Bianca Rowlands has been voted to 4th Lieutenant, the first woman to be elected to such a position in the history of the Lockington brigade.
Mrs Rowlands' election is a breakthrough moment in the Lockington Brigade’s 75-year history, after she only joined two years ago.
Alongside this achievement, Mrs Rowlands' husband, Joel Rowlands, has been elected to 2nd Lieutenant, making the duo the first married couple to serve alongside each other as officers at Lockington CFA.
“I was surprised I got elected at all when Joel got it,” said Mrs Rowlands, whose duties as 4th Lieutenant will be that of a ''community safety officer''.
The duo, who were high school sweethearts, have been together for 17 years and in Lockington for 15 years, and consider the CFA to be like another family.
“It’s a nice small community," Mrs Rowlands said.
Mr Rowlands added: “Behind the scenes, the CFA family is there.”
As for working side by side, Mr Rowlands offered a possible reason why he was elected to 2nd Lieutenant, while Mrs Rowlands was elected to 4th: “She’s the boss at home, and I’m the boss here!”
The couple encouraged those interested in joining the service to come to the Lockington CFA building on Sunday mornings.
“We’re always open to new blood.”
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