Sheree Merryfull is a Station Officer with the Queensland Fire Department who has been recognised for her outstanding leadership, including as a recipient of the Women in Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
Nine years into her firefighting career, Senior Firefighter Sheree took on the challenge of becoming a Station Officer and was successful. However, after some serious thinking, she made a tough decision.
“I had my own challenges, mainly self-doubt. I wanted to be prepared and ready to be a Station Officer, and make sure I did the job right. But it wasn’t for me, so I went back to being a Senior Firefighter,” Sheree said.
“I worked with the Fire and Emergency Services Support Network to overcome the challenges I put on myself. It was imposter syndrome almost.”
Sheree, now a Station Officer at Gold Coast Zone, provides support those going through the Station Officer recruitment process and initiates ideas to provide Senior Firefighters with opportunities that will develop their skills, knowledge and enhance their capabilities for the recruitment process.
“I’m pushing to develop a guide and support network for Senior Firefighters becoming Station Officers. Some Senior Firefighters might not have the skills, knowledge and experience to write a resume that will be competitive against other candidates.
“They need to focus on leadership skills and how they’ve developed, and some may not have thought about that.
“I want to encourage Senior Firefighters to take interest in other avenues in QFES that they can be exposed to in the future. I want to help make them into the leaders QFES needs.
“Firefighters and senior management had to grind it out and did it tough. We need to create a culture where we support our next generation, and show mentoring and support is beneficial to succeeding. That culture doesn’t need to keep continuing.
“Having someone you can look up to for guidance and support, who can bring out your best side is true leadership. I experienced that from leaders I’ve been around, and now I’m trying to pay it forward.”