Thirty highly skilled women from across the industry participated in an immersive, all-female-led curriculum designed to build operational and psychological resilience.
The Women in Rescue Program was coordinated by the Emergency Management Community of Practice (EM CoP) – a registered not‑for‑profit association of which Mineral Resources (MinRes) is a founding member.
Other EM CoP members include Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, Gold Fields, Northern Star, IGO and Alcoa.
The program was delivered at no cost to participants and supported by experts from Parabellum International, ERGT Australia, Fire & Safety Australia and St John Ambulance.
Technical training was paired with specialised workshops focused on leadership, confidence-building and personal resilience, and ensuring each participant is equipped for the mental and physical demands of high-stakes emergency response.
The Women in Rescue Program also involved complex, multi-agency scenarios designed to test decision-making, communication and command presence under realistic conditions - sharpening technical capability while fostering resilience, camaraderie and leadership required in high-pressure environments.
The concept first came to life in March 2025 as a MinRes‑led trial which brought together female emergency services personnel for three days of training and networking.
Following strong feedback from participants and industry stakeholders, EM CoP scaled the program to the broader resources sector in 2026.
MinRes Principal Advisor Emergency Management Daniel Goss founded the MinRes trial program and, as an EM CoP member, drove the expanded industry pilot.
He said the program delivers both immediate benefits and long‑term value.
“The Women in Rescue Program showcases the outstanding capability within our female emergency response teams,” Daniel said.
“What began as an idea has grown into a sector‑wide initiative that strengthens safety, builds skills and expands leadership opportunities.
“At MinRes, safety is our highest priority, so investing time and energy into diversity of thought and expertise makes our operations stronger and more resilient.”
For many participants, the week was an opportunity to step outside their usual working environment and test themselves alongside peers from other companies and agencies.
MinRes participant and Iron Valley Medic India Robertson said the Women in Rescue Program offered a chance to build both personal and professional skills while strengthening industry networks.
“We trained hard, learned new skills and pushed through challenging scenarios, but what stood out most was the camaraderie,” India said.
“Knowing you can lead and be relied upon in a rescue situation – that confidence is priceless.”
Other MinRes participants included Ken’s Bore Medic Jo Studds and Iron Valley Blast Crew member Skye Burnette.
With momentum building, EM CoP and its partners are already mapping the next stages, ready to expand participation and amplify the program’s impact across the resources sector.
What began as a pioneering pilot is now part of a broader transformation in emergency response – a commitment to capability, resilience and diversity that sits at the heart of MinRes’ safety culture.
Learn more about MinRes' commitment to safety.
