South Yorkshire women urged to consider becoming firefighters

Women interested in becoming firefighters are invited to a '˜have a go' day to find out what it takes.
Firefighters tackle a massive fire in Mexborough. Picture: Tim AnsellFirefighters tackle a massive fire in Mexborough. Picture: Tim Ansell
Firefighters tackle a massive fire in Mexborough. Picture: Tim Ansell

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service chiefs want more women to join up in a fresh drive to make the service more representative of the communities it serves.

The information day is to be held at the fire service’s training centre in Beaver Hill Road, Handsworth, on Saturday, February 13.

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There are around 40 female firefighters working in South Yorkshire.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer John Roberts said: “Perceptions of the fire service as being a white male dominated organisation are changing and here in South Yorkshire we have already come a very long way, with firefighters from underrepresented groups including many women on the front line.

“But at the same time we fully accept that we still have a long way to go before we become truly representative of the communities which we serve. The role of a firefighter has changed considerably in recent years, and we now play a vital social role, including youth work, fire safety initiatives and carrying out free home safety checks.

“The aim of this campaign is to give under represented groups, including women, an insight into what the role and selection process entails, and hopefully make them think about a career they may never have considered before.”

Visit South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Recruitment for more information.