Female Firefighters
Long gone are the days of the traditional style of Fire Service, with historically burly firemen, and firefighting, being regarded primarily as a male activity. The modern day Fire and Rescue Service has, and is, evolving more and more into an equal opportunities employer. The term “Fireman” is no longer in use in the Fire Service, but is still part of our everyday language being replaced by “Firefighter”.
The days are also gone of women firefighters being a novelty, and every effort has been made to integrate women into the service. Government statistics for the National Equality and Diversity Strategy clearly state that Fire and Rescue Services have to be improved with more women fulfilling operational firefighter roles.
There have been many factors effecting the introduction and employment of women into the service namely stations were not equipped with separate toilets, shower blocks and sleeping areas. Women were considered not to be strong enough to pass the initial physical tests. There were accusations of sexual harassment.
To date stations have had a make over, with separate facilities being provided and the introduction of the National Firefighter Physical tests all applicants have an equal opportunity. Incidences of sexual harassment seem to have diminished among fire service personnel. This may be attributed to laws being passed, but also to better information being presented to both men and women about acceptable conduct, and consequences being properly enforced for violators.
Women already in the Service
Agreeably there are more men in the service but for the women who have joined and worked at a career they wanted the rewards have been priceless not just in terms of the rank attained but being part of the team. One such woman Dany Cotton who has risen to the rank of Deputy Assistant Commissioner in her 20 years service with the London Fire Brigade. She is the highest ranking operational woman firefighter in the UK. She was also the first woman in Britain to be awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.
Is the Fire and Rescue Service for me?
Everyone's idea of what Firefighters do is a little different, and if you have read the section on a firefighters role you will already understand that it’s not all about extinguishing fires. The role of a Fire Fighter goes far beyond that and much of your time will be spent preventing fires, preventing accidents, offering fire safety advice, working in the community and of course education.
How do I join?
Like all the male applicants you have to look out for the Fire and Rescue Service of your choice advertising. Then you will have to complete the same tests as every male applicant. There are no exceptions the Fire and Rescue Services provide equal opportunities to every applicant. Information about recruitment can be found in our recruitment section here.
More women are joining in operational front line roles – as firefighters – and making a real impact. People in trouble like somebody to help them, they don't care who.
