A NSW MP has made the case in the State's Upper House after Singleton firefighters raised the alarm on a lack of changeroom facilities.
The Singleton fire station was built in 1915, but more than 100 years later, still lacks a simple changeroom, as well as separate toilets and showers for male and female officers.
One Nation MP Rod Roberts says it's disappointing and concerning.
"They talk about an inclusive and diverse workforce," he said. "What woman wants to go and work somewhere where she's forced - she has no option, but she's forced - to strip down to her underwear in front of her work colleagues?"
"Apart from that, they're also in full view of members of the public that were walking down John Street or using any of the buildings that surround the fire station, and in this day and age in 2022, that is just not acceptable."
A pair of dance schools are located near the fire station, as well as a number of other premises around the Singleton CBD.
Mr Roberts says there are legal issues just waiting to happen.
"That's why the firefighters at Singleton raised it with me," he said. "They're not deliberately going around willfully exposing themselves to members of the public, but it's only going to take one member of the public that walks past, who takes some form of offence to this, and these firefighters and their employers could be open to some form of legal action."
Fire and Rescue NSW was allocated $50 million in the State Government's latest budget to upgrade female amenities over the next ten years, but couldn't be pressed on the situation at Singleton.
Deputy Commissioner Megan Stiffler says they're still in the early stages when it comes to spending the funding.
"FRNSW is currently assessing the priority of fire stations based on the condition of facilities and the current distribution of female firefighters," she said.
"Priority projects will be scoped to determine both the extent of works and the costs involved. Works are estimated to commence on the identified projects in November."
But Mr Roberts says the station isn't asking for much, and it should be a priority today.
"The professional men and women at Singleton Fire Station are very practical people," he said.
"They've said to me, 'Rod, we don't need a whole new fire station, we don't need go to that extent.'"
"All we're asking for is a demountable building to be placed in the rear courtyard of the fire station, that can be converted into separate male and female toilets and showers and changing facilities."
