We’re proud to join the world in celebrating International Women’s Day today, alongside members of our fire services community.
With this year’s theme centred on inspiring inclusion, we’re highlighting all those incredible women within our fire family who work tirelessly to protect their communities, and the women within our charity who help to ensure we’re always there to support them.
Our Chief Executive, Dr Jill Tolfrey, says: “I’ve been incredibly proud to work alongside many dedicated and inspiring women throughout my 13 years with The Fire Fighters Charity, both within the Charity and across our fire services community.
“Now, as I prepare to leave my role as Chief Executive in the coming months, I’m reflecting on some hugely transformative years which have led to us helping more beneficiaries than ever, in all corners of the UK.
“This International Women’s Day – and every day – I am delighted to celebrate the powerful women who have helped us get to where we are today, and those who will help pave our charity’s growth in the years ahead.”
Below you can hear from a few women in different roles across our fire service about why they’re proud of their work and why they’d encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
Jules King, East Sussex FRS’ Assistant Director for People Services, says: “Since joining the Fire & Rescue Service almost 30 years ago, I have always had an enormous sense of pride for the job that I do. I am also passionate about our future generations and through the work of Women in the Fire Service we can enable and inspire confident and successful women to build a more progressive Fire & Rescue Service.
“I am committed to Inspiring inclusion not just on IWD but every day, taking every opportunity to lift others up, share their strengths and show women they can achieve anything they want to.
“Role modelling has never been so important in my view, and I recognise the role I play in this to help show ‘if she can see it – she can be it’.”
Scottish on-call firefighter, Angie Souter, says: “Having been the only female on my fortnight’s training, I felt a real sense of achievement and pride… not only was I the only female, I was one of the oldest trainees. Taking this back to my own daughters and feeling their pride was one of my greatest ever achievements.
“As a female, being able to show that I can balance being a mum, self-employed childminder and an on-call firefighter just feels awesome.
“I am part of a fantastic crew where I still celebrate being a female firefighter but I am not treated any differently – which shows how far we have come in this area. Much to be celebrated this International Women’s Day!”
LFB firefighter Siobhan Priest says: “I feel a great sense of empowerment and pride being part of the fire service, it’s important that we reflect the community we serve with diversity across all sectors and show future generations that women can be excellent firefighters.
“I joined LFB a little later in life than I’d hoped to but I hope that proves that it’s still possible for other women my age who’ve also always wanted to do this job. I find it inspiring seeing other women in the fire service.”
Fire Control Operator Kirsty Vincent says: “It’s a very special thing to be part of an organisation that helps others every single day, and to be surrounded by inspirational colleagues who I am consistently learning from even after years of working in the control room and previously as a firefighter.
“I think it’s so important to look after each other in the incredible roles that we’re in.
“And so, from talking about how the job can affect our mental health and then writing a book about my own experiences, it means the world to think that I am now perhaps one more woman able to inspire others and encourage those vital conversations to take place.”
Women In The Fire Service says: “International Women’s Day provides an opportunity for everyone to contribute to Inspiring Inclusion, creating a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
“Through collaboration with our members, volunteers, partners, and allies, we showcase the achievements of women, aiming to inspire the next generation to participate in the sector.”
You can meet and chat to other women across the UK’s fire services community in our online space, My Fire Fighters Charity.
