A FIREFIGHTER, emergency services volunteer, horse-riding teacher and leader at her school, Katie Napier wears many hats for her list of voluntary and leadership roles.

The 17-year-old Butler resident's contributions to the community earned her the youth award at the City of Wanneroo's Australia Day celebrations. Katie joined the Quinns Rocks Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade as a 12-year-old with her sister and brother and within weeks she had also signed up to the Clarkson Emergency Services and the St John Ambulance cadet units.

“She is a junior cadet leader of St John and volunteers for a variety of events where first aid support is required, as well as being a key provider of first aid education to young people through the cadet leader program,” her citation said.

Having just graduated from Clarkson Community High School where she was head girl, Katie said she would start a nursing diploma at West Coast Institute of Training in Joondalup this year. The City's chief bush fire control officer Phil Hay said Katie started as a cadet five years ago, but was now an active, well-liked member of the brigade.

“She goes out and fights active fires, there at the coalface working hard,” he said. “For her size and her age, she is one of the hardest working kids that we have got. “She is now encouraging other kids; she is really like a mentor for the younger ones. “This is the future of our brigade.”

Quinns Rocks brigade captain Darren Bennett said Katie was always diligent and happy to put her hand up to help. The teenager became a sergeant at the Clarkson Emergency Services cadet unit in 2011, with which she had provided service at Anzac Day events and other community gatherings, but has to step down from that role when she turns 18. Katie has also volunteered on the STS Leeuwin II adventure ship and she teaches children with disabilities to ride horses through Riding for the Disabled Association of WA.