Writing on Instagram next to an image of herself wearing her firefighter uniform, Robinson-Williams addresses other women in the same position as her: “For all the females on the ground in New South Wales right now. We stand together we stand proud!”

She continues: “Yes I am a firefighter. No I’m not a man. Yes I am a female. Yes I am pregnant. Yes I am going to the fires. And yes I’ll be alright. No I won’t just stay behind. No I don’t care if you don’t like it.”

Robinson-Williams finishes her post with a powerful comment on why she does what she does, writing “I love my country and I love my mates” and promising “I’ll always make the way, as long as I am physically able to help, I’ll always work my best”.

Speaking to BBC News, the volunteer explained why she felt the need to write the post: “I wanted to tell them [my friends] I’m okay and that I’m not just going to stop. I’ll stop when my body tells me to stop.”

She also added that she had spoken with her doctor, who said she was safe to continue “as long as I wear the right equipment”.

Both New South Wales and Queensland are currently experiencing a large number of extremely dangerous bushfires. At the time of writing reports say there are around 150 active fires across the two areas. This week 50 houses have been damaged, while last week 200 homes were affected; three people have also lost their lives. Although the threat levels have been downgraded slightly in New South Wales (from the highest to the second highest), BBC News reports that NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has said: “We’ve got the worst of the summer – the worst of the season – still ahead of us.”

This pregnant firefighter has a brave message for anyone suggesting she “stay behind”