Event helped to show how the fire service is open to all
A MAJOR fire service recruitment drive got under way in September 2001 with an emphasis on breaking down stereotypes.
At the time, Burton Fire Station was a leader in the field, with four full-time female firefighters, as well as one part-timer, in its 64-strong crew.
To help change perceptions, staff held an awareness day at Burton Fire Station.
Speaking at the time, Leading Firefighter Ray Holton said: “Today’s fire service is not just about fighting fires — chemical spills, rescues, road and rail accidents and community fire safety advice or a shift with no shouts at all could all be part of a firefighter’s everyday life.”
And it wasn’t just the work stereotypes that the brigade was trying to dismantle. It also wanted to break the misapprehension that the fire service was just a white male-dominated zone.
Station Officer Ray Chamberlain said: “Today’s fire service offers a career option to anyone. We are equal opportunities employers and open to male or female, any race, creed or colour.”
In the same week, the fire station took delivery of an environmental protection unit, known as the Pod, which would be used at pollution incidents, including chemical spillages, across Staffordshire.
The unit was the first of its kind to go into service in the Midlands and was donated by the Environment Agency.
The Pod was a portable unit housed on a lorry, which could be deployed at incidents.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “One of the agency’s key objectives is to continue to improve the quality of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters through the control of pollution.
“The provision of equipment to the fire service has proved an effective mechanism to prevent spillages from causing ecological disaster.
“The units are used at fires, road traffic accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials to minimise environmental damage, particularly to the water environment.”