When Donna Simmons first walked into the Culcairn Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) brigade in 2014, she was the only woman in a team of 12. More than a decade later, she’s now leading it.  

Donna has been appointed Fire Captain of the Culcairn brigade, marking a significant milestone both personally and for the region. Her appointment makes her one of the first female captains across a large part of the Riverina, including Albury and Wagga. 

Her path into the fire service wasn’t conventional. After working as a laboratory assistant and raising four sons, Donna was looking for a meaningful shift that could provide good work life balance. Encouraged by a family friend, she joined the local on-call brigade, quickly discovering a sense of purpose and adventure in serving her community.

Breaking barriers as a Fire Captain in the Riverina

That same drive led her to Ventia, where she began in 2016 as a Watchroom Operator at RAAF Wagga. Since then, she’s progressed through the ranks to become a Qualified Leading Firefighter at Kapooka. At Ventia, Donna plays a vital role in delivering fire and emergency services in a Defence environment, protecting capability while operating with a heightened sense of precision, resilience and teamwork. 

Within the business, Donna has embraced opportunities for professional development and connection. In 2025, she travelled to Perth to attend the WAFA and AFAC conferences alongside fellow female firefighters, gaining insights into everything from equipment innovation to the evolving conversation around women’s health and safety in the field. Her experience and drive across both Defence operations and community response have shaped her into a confident and capable leader, ready to take on the responsibilities of captaincy.

Building leadership through experience and professional development

In her new role at FRNSW, Donna will oversee brigade operations while mentoring and guiding her team. She understands firsthand the importance of visibility and representation. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” she says.

It’s a philosophy she lives out beyond the fireground. Donna has been an active mentor in the Girls on Fire program, helping young women build confidence, leadership skills and resilience through hands-on engagement with emergency services. Her commitment reflects her broader ambition to be the change she wishes to see, beyond her commitment to serve the communities she holds dear. 

And that change is already visible. The brigade she joined as the sole female firefighter now includes five women which is an evolution driven by both policy and example. 

A leader strengthening Defence and community connections

Donna’s journey speaks to the kind of impact Ventia enables every day: supporting its people to grow, lead and deliver critical services that strengthen both Defence capability and local communities. Through her dual roles, Donna embodies that connection, bringing together operational excellence, leadership and community spirit.