Proud-mum-to-be and fierce firefighter Kat Robinson-Williams has been inundated with supportive messages after her post defending her work fighting fires on Instagram went viral.
The 23-year-old firefighter, who has featured pictures and video of her on location battling rural NSW fires on Instagram, spoke defiantly about challenging gender assumptions that she shouldn't work as a pregnant woman.
"No I’m not a man. Yes I am a female. Yes I am pregnant. Yes I am going to the fires. And yes I’ll be alright. No I won’t just stay behind. No I don’t care if you don’t like it," she wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
"For all the females on the ground in NSW right now. We stand together we stand proud !! Yes I am a Firefighter."
Robinson-William's comments were met with applause online, with women thanking her for her service.
"Amazing- just read your comments in the news. Thank you! Thank you for your amazing sense of duty and being a strong, dependable human. Wishing you all the best. You make me proud."
"Good on you girl, it’s your body and no one knows it better than you. BTW - Thankyou for all you do."
The majority of firefighters in Australia are men, with authorities reportedly brainstorming how to to break down barriers for women and diverse candidates joining the force to broaden the capacity of the organisation.
"It is an issue in the emergency services because there are not enough young girls knowing this is a viable career option," an expert told the
The young firefighter's message also resonated with other women in the emergency services.
"Just saw a news article about you and wanted to say thank you. I was in a similar situation when I volunteered at St John Ambulance when I was younger - keep doing what you love," one woman commentated.
"As someone who has worked hard to create policies for female firefighters regarding pregnancy, I am so proud of you. You are strong and pregnancy as we all know, isn’t an illness. Stay safe during the fires and I wish you all the best," a user under the name 'sistersoulshine' wrote.
Robinson-Williams vowed to continue her passion for fighting fires as long as she was physically able.
"THIS IS MY STATE IN FLAMES! I love my country I love my mates. And if that means I’m needed on the ground. Then I’ll always make the way. As long as I am physically able to help. I’ll always work my best."
She also shared a picture of her 13-week old's ultrasound, dubbing the baby a 'little firefighter in the making".
"13 weeks pregnant and still going strong. Still going to fires. Little firefighter in the making!! First fire for Bub is tomorrow mornings strike team to mid coast. Safe to say ‘fighting fires before you were born," she wrote before sharing three fire symbol emojis.
