Bex Sims - Watch Manager Protection Policy

The significance of increasing numbers of female firefighters improves the visibility of women in an operational role both for members of the public needing our help, and colleagues in the service. If you can see it you can be it. 

So for school visits, community fire safety talks and dealing with incidents, the more young women and girls who see female role models in a job they haven't considered before is positive. I am a proud role model, and happy to engage with people who are curious about what the job is like and what the challenges are.

Other females and allies in the service are supportive, give advice or signposting and make the working environment rewarding.  Being co-chair of the Gender Support Network empowers me to do more to help all employees at work and to advance the culture, facilities and policies to improve work life. One thing I would like to see become the norm in my career is gender inclusive language as standard, so I'm not called a fireman anymore!  

On the whole I have had a very positive experience of being a minority in two different fire services in a variety of roles over 15 years, but this might not be the case for everyone. 

I endeavour to keep the fire service moving forwards and improving equality and inclusion for all.