In her first public engagement since becoming the new fire safety minister in May’s government re-shuffle, Angela Smith has called on more women to work as firefighters. She was speaking at the London Fire Brigade training ground in Southwark at the launch of a new campaign
The campaign was sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government, aimed at raising awareness of frontline fire and rescue careers among women.
“Firefighting is not a job only open to men,” said Ms Smith. “In a modern fire and rescue service we need recruits who are physically and mentally confident. Fire fighting is a great career opportunity for those women who are fit and active and enjoy a challenge.”
The 2003 White Paper, ‘Our Fire and Rescue Service’, highlighted that women and those from ethnic backgrounds were generally not attracted to the fire and rescue service.
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