Today is International Women's Day; an opportunity to celebrate the women in our community.

One such woman is Krissie Dean.

Mrs Dean, who has been on the forefront of emergency for nearly 25 years, was one of the 15 founding members of the Wallumbilla SES group.

And for the past 12 years she has been the only active female member.

Mrs Dean and her SES group have been very active over the past two years, having being deployed to Roma, St George and Charleville to help with flood clean up jobs.

But when asked why she continues to do it, Mrs Dean gave a simple answer.

"It helps the community," she said.

"I love getting the job done and caring for the people I'm helping.

"You only get back what you give out."

Having grown up with five boys, having three sons of her own and having been the only paramedic at a station, Mrs Dean is certainly used to being the only female.

"I've got pretty broad shoulders and nothing fazes me anymore," she said.

"It's all good banter from the boys and if you're prepared to dish it back to them that's the key to survival."

But it seems Mrs Dean has found her niche, and said as long as she is fit and capable she'll continue to be a part of the Wallumbilla SES group.