Women

Challenge and opportunity

08 Dec, 2017 By Francis Beckett

Francis Beckett explains how the War and the vision of its general secretary transformed the FBU. The Second World War presented Britain’s fire service with its biggest ever challenge – to ensure the country survived a mass bombing campaign over its cities. The solution was to give the FBU its...

Women blazing a trail

18 Jul, 2017 By Lynne Wallis

Twenty-five female firefighters lost their lives during the Second World War – some of the forgotten heroines of the home front, writes Lynne Wallis Women worked as firefighters long before the Second World War. They were employed by private brigades and others like the one attached to the feminist...

Fire Brigades Union Women's School | 7 - 9 April 2017, Wortley Hall

23 Jan, 2017

Circular ref

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Dear Sister, FIRE BRIGADES UNION WOMEN’S SCHOOL 7 - 9 APRIL 2017 WORTLEY HALL Please find attached an application form for the Fire Brigades Union National Women’s School being held from Friday 7...

A key role in history and firefighting

15 Aug, 2016 By Helen Hague

Firefighters and their union have been at the forefront of many key developments in the fire and rescue service, research for the FBU’s centenary confirms. Helen Hague reports. By the end of 2018, FBU members and the public should know a great deal more about the history of the firefighters’ union...

FBU reacts to Theresa May's first speech on the fire and rescue service

24 May, 2016 By infobo

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has responded to the proposals put forward by the home secretary in her speech to the Reform think tank, including a 'cautious welcome' of the idea for the establishment of an independent inspectorate for the fire service. The new inspectorate will replace the current...

The FBU national women's committee saved my career

12 May, 2016 By infobo

In this video Lancashire firefighter Caroline Sturgess explains her journey through the fire service and how the FBU’s national women’s committee saved her career. Sam Rye, the secretary of the national women’s committee, also gives details on the role the annual FBU women’s school plays in our...

Firefighter magazine April/May 2016

19 Apr, 2016

The Bafta award-winning short film Operator leads this issue of Firefighter magazine. The film, which the FBU co-funded, tells the real-life story of Sam Pendlebury, a fire control operator who guided a mother and her child to safety in one of her first ever calls. As the Scottish Fire and Rescue...

Firefighter magazine

New film highlights the gender stereotyping of firefighters

15 Mar, 2016 By infobo

A new film has revealed how children, early on in their education, already define career opportunities as male and female. The film, called ‘Redraw the Balance’, shows how when a group of primary school children were asked to draw a firefighter, surgeon and a fighter pilot, 61 pictures were drawn of...

Firefighter magazine Feb/March 2016

16 Feb, 2016

The new look Firefighter magazine is now available online. This issue leads on the winter floods crisis that devastated northern areas of the UK late last year and earlier this year. We speak to Nic Brennan about his experience transitioning genders while serving in the fire and rescue service. We...

Firefighter magazine

Election of national women's committee chair

11 Feb, 2016

Circular ref

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Dear Brother/Sister ELECTION OF NATIONAL WOMEN’S COMMITTEE CHAIR I wish to advise you, in accordance with the Rules of the Union, that the Executive Council has decided to conduct an election for the...

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