Female firefighters prove gender is no barrier to a satisfying career

With more women than ever before signing up to become firefighters or enquiring about a career in the fire service, My Wokingham spoke to two Wokingham women who love the jobs they do. Bethanne Rea is Crew Manager at Wokingham Fire Station and which stations are hiring on the service’s website.

What made you want to become a firefighter?

I wanted to become a firefighter as my father was a firefighter, and feel like I am following his lead. I always wanted a job that was varied, and I am an active person so wanted something that would utilise that. I love helping people in their time of need and serving the community. I enjoy the variety that each day brings and meeting members of the community.

What are the reactions from the public being a female firefighter?

The general reaction from the public is positive and very supportive, although I do still get asked if I do the same as the male firefighters. I am able to explain that we do exactly the same and tell them about the fantastic team and opportunities available here at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue.

I know the fire service runs Have-a-Go days to specifically target females. Is this something you are involved in and believe is important?

Personally, I am not involved with the female-focused Have-a-Go days, but I do think that they are a brilliant idea and have helped to attract more female firefighters. I would say to any woman thinking of applying to the service to attend a Havea-Go day – you can try the fitness tests and ladders and talk to firefighters about what the role entails. It helps you make an informed decision about whether the role would be right for you, rather than having your judgement clouded by assumptions or perceptions.

I was told one of the female firefighters drives the engine at Wokingham. What sort of training was involved?

Yes, we do have a female driver here at Wokingham like a few of the other stations. She had to complete an initial LGV, then was required to complete a number of driveback miles along with a pump test. She was then required to complete a EFAD to drive the fire appliance on blue lights.

Do you feel there is still a gender gap with the number of female firefighters?

I do feel that traditionally the role has attracted more male applicants than female – but this is changing. More female firefighters mean more diversity within our work force which means we are becoming more representative of the communities we serve.

Is this a career you feel should be promoted more in schools or do you feel it is valuable to get life experience before joining?

Personally, I think it is valuable to get life experience before joining. But every individual is different, and some may join earlier than others. I do feel that there is an opportunity to promote the career opportunities at schools, and to increase awareness of the opportunities available within the fire and rescue sector. We can always do more, but I certainly feel like things are heading in the right direction.

Berkshire firefighter Joanna Herring said she wanted a job where she could help the community and have no two days the same. “Being a firefighter is a job where we do something completely different every day. One day we could be fighting a fire and the next giving a talk at a school.

Before the last event, Helen Morbin, well-being manager, said: “We’re extremely proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all of our staff, but like many other services across the country, certain sections of our local community are still under-represented in our service.

You never know what will happen from one day to the next.”

Before joining, Joanna spoke to staff at Crowthorne fire station, and they said to come in and have a chat.

“They were running a Havea-Go day so I went down. Everyone was so inviting and helpful and I felt totally at ease. Since joining it’s been fantastic, the hours fit around family life and I feel I have a great work/life balance. I’d definitely recommend a female-focussed Have-a-Go event.”

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) regularly holds ‘Have-a-Go’ events aimed at women to encourage them to consider a career as a firefighter.

The events enable participants to try some of the tests used during the recruitment process, and to find out more about this rewarding career. They include a tour of the fire station, and the opportunity to talk to RBFRS firefighters and staff, who will be on hand to offer their insight, advice and support.

It is hoped that by providing an overview of the recruitment process and support, more women will consider applying to be firefighters.

Attendees will get the chance to try out essential firefighting equipment.

Although the recruitment window is not currently open for wholetime firefighters, there are opportunities to join RBFRS as an on-call firefighter. You can read more about the requirements to become an on-call firefighter

“We continue to drive towards creating a service that reflects the communities we serve and so by organising these ‘Have a Go’ events, we are hoping to give people who may not usually consider a career in the fire service an opportunity to try it out for themselves.”

Wokingham Fire Station was rebuilt and opened in September 2011. The station took 11 months to build and had a £1.5 million investment. The building project involved the demolition of the two existing Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service owned houses and replaced the old station on a neighbouring site in Denton Road, which had only provided daytime cover for the town.

The station is designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible in order to reduce operating costs. It has solar panels, automatic lights and collects rainwater to recycle and use within the fire station.

The station generates an income from the solar panels as well as the drill tower which is leased to a telecommunications company. Savings on the cost of water usage also contribute to providing a cost-effective operational fire station.

A time capsule was buried during construction containing photographs, information on Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, a breathing apparatus tally and a firefighter’s uniform shirt.

The fire station boasts two appliance bays, as well as an on-site lecture room which provides a facility for members of the community and an opportunity to interact with staff at the station.