It's fair to say Emma's an inspiration

Kyeema Deputy Group Officer Emma Patterson was inspired to join the SA Country Fire Service by following in the footsteps of her father, highly respected Sellicks volunteer Robert Whicker.

Now, having received a Women and Firefighting Australasia Award, presented at the AFAC26 Conference in Melbourne this week, it’s highly evident Emma has become an inspiration herself.

“It’s a bit overwhelming,” the Kyeema Deputy Group Officer (DGO) said.

“I do this because I like to help my community and be part of a team and, also, seeing other people reach their potential.

“Receiving an award for doing something I love feels a bit silly to me, but I’m very honoured to have been acknowledged in this way.”

The award recognises Emma’s contribution to fire and emergency services via sustained leadership, service to her community, the example she sets for others, and her dedication to emergency services.

Emma started as a volunteer with Aldinga Beach CFS in 2009, taking on the Kyeema DGO role in 2025.

Fighting fire is often described as putting the ‘wet stuff on the hot stuff’, but for Emma, it’s so much cooler than that.

“I enjoy the idea of helping the community and doing my best,” Emma said before adding with a laugh, “but you also get to hang out with cool people, do cool stuff, use cool equipment and visit cool places”.

During her near 18 years of volunteering, Emma has served in senior field command roles and undertaken interstate deployments to Queensland and New South Wales, while also attending major SA incidents such as Deep Creek, Wilmington, Bangor and Port Lincoln.

While those have been memorable experiences, the mother of four’s greatest satisfaction comes from the CFS’ extensive training and development opportunities, and seeing fellow volunteers succeed.

“I love the training side of the CFS, and I really enjoy seeing people succeed and coming on as cadets or as new firies and then watching the different stages of their career,” Emma said.

“Knowing I may have played a small part in that is very humbling.”