Women Talking Fire and Cheshire FRS host Firefighting Awareness Day

Taking place on 3 September, the Firefighting Awareness Day witnessed delegates being divided into groups and visiting five different fire stations in a bid to unearth more detail about various aspects of firefighting.

The learning included information on the equipment carried on a fire appliance, how water supplies are obtained from both hydrants and open water sources, the physical demands of firefighting (including delegates undergoing the actual fitness tests that firefighters must pass), high-rise firefighting (encompassing updated processes and procedures following publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 1 report) and the Incident Command Centre (an interactive facility where incidents can be simulated and role playing can be used to teach and then assess the capabilities of firefighters).

The day ended with a ‘big burn’ where delegates watched these various aspects put into practice as firefighters carried out a demonstration, rescuing individuals from a terraced house that was on fire.

Feedback from delegates was as follows: “The whole event was excellent”... “The organisation of the whole day was exceptional. The Fire and Rescue Service staff have been great!”… “Brilliant!”… “As a female, it was refreshing to attend an industry event where I wasn’t in the minority”.

Kristian Clowes, station manager for the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, observed: “We were very proud to host this Firefighting Awareness Day at our Training Centre in conjunction with Women Talking Fire. The day was about so much more than merely understanding what our firefighters do. It was also a fantastic opportunity for the Fire and Rescue Service and professionals from the fire industry to meet, network and share knowledge.”

Clowes added: “The day was a huge success. Learning and development was enjoyed by all who attended. We were able to showcase our state-of-the-art Training Centre and Incident Command Centre to others and explain some of the training as well as the equipment and procedures that we have at our disposal for responding to emergencies. The day was so well received, in fact, that we’re already in the early planning stages to host a similar event next year such that we can continue to collaborate and learn from each other.”

Women Talking Fire would like to extend its thanks to the staff of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and in particular Kristian Clowes, for hosting such a brilliantly organised, interactive and informative day.

What’s next for Women Talking Fire?

In essence, Women Talking Fire aims to ensure that women are visibly represented in the industry such that females can see role models that look like them. The group currently boasts over 1,100 followers and almost 570 members on its closed LinkedIn Group page.

In its inaugural year, Women Talking Fire has held a technical conference for 150 delegates in Leeds, organised social evening events in London and Bury, undertaken a survey to better understand the views and perspectives of men and women working in the UK’s fire safety industry and orchestrated a collaboration with The Fire Safety Event for last April’s show at the NEC.

In terms of ‘next steps’, Women Talking Fire is planning a workshop around confidence, communication and career progression (to be held at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection’s Training Academy in Coventry on 6 March 2025), another Firefighting Awareness Day in conjunction with the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the development of stronger partnerships with industry exhibitions, among them London Build, FIREX International and The Fire Safety Event.

The interactive workshop in Coventry represents an opportunity to learn some practical skills and gain actionable strategies for professional advancement. There’s a desire for delegates to be empowered to have more impact when communicating and to raise their personal brand to help them reach their full potential. On the day, business leader and executive coach Manjit Mandeir is scheduled to be running the sessions.

Membership of the Women Talking Fire LinkedIn Group is free and open to all, including women and male allies who support Women Talking Fire and what it stands for as a movement. Members do not have to be affiliated to a particular institution or professional body.

*Further information is available online at www.womentalkingfire.co.uk and by contacting Andrea White (founder and director of Women Talking Fire) via e-mail at [email protected]