‘Firefighting’s such a great job for a woman!’
Diane Critchlow, 50, from Weymouth, is one of the few female firefighters. Now, she’s determined to bring more women on board.
‘A‘I was excited at the prospect of a totally different challenge’
sk most people to imagine a firefighter and they’ll probably think of the stereotype of a big burly man slinging someone over his shoulder and carrying them from a burning building – not a middle-aged mum-ofthree like me. Women make up just 5% of the UK’S firefighters, but while the job is definitely challenging, it’s not just about brute force. Working as a team, you play to each individual’s capabilities. Sometimes you need super-strength, other times you need stamina, or someone small and agile, or kind and caring to soothe people in distress.
From the moment I found out what was involved, I knew it was the job for me. At the time, I was a single mum to Tom, now 24, and Bonnie, now 22. I’d given up my legal career to become a full-time mum but, when my marriage broke up, I needed a job that would allow me to spend time with the children – who were both under four. A 9-5 role wouldn’t work, so I began to research my options. Around the same time, I bumped into some firefighters at my gym, who told me about a taster day they were holding to recruit female firefighters. I decided to go along.
There, we tried out some physical tests, such as lifting heavy equipment. We were warned about the potential dangers – working at heights, in confined spaces and in burning buildings, as well as the difficult things we might see such as fatal injuries. However, as someone who is generally calm and capable in a crisis, I was sure I would be able to cope. The idea of doing a job that helped people in such a first-hand way really appealed to me, and the shift pattern was a flexible mixture of days and nights that would work well for me with childcare. I left feeling excited at the prospect of a totally different challenge.
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
I started as an operational firefighter in January 2002 and I loved it from the start. The variety means I never have that Monday-morning feeling. One day I’ll be at a barn fire or a traffic accident, the next I’ll be at the station doing training exercises or writing policies. I don’t tend to feel scared when I go into fires – the training just kicks in. That said, it can be tough to deal with the psychological side. When I’m driving, I’ll remember if an accident took place on that road – and, if it involved young people, I can’t help but think about my own children. But there are counsellors available if we need them, and the closeness of our teams means we can lean on each other for support.
In 2000, I met my now-husband, James, who was also a firefighter, and in 2010, we had a little girl called Coco. After having a child in my 40s, it took me a year to return to full fitness, yet there was never any doubt that I’d go back.
When I decided to join the fire service, I came up against a lot of opposition. Some of my friends and family had that male stereotype in their minds and said I wouldn’t be strong enough. I’m the only woman in my team, but they’re a very supportive bunch; they see the benefit of diversity within the fire service.
I’m now a women’s representative for the Fire Brigades Union and have been involved in negotiating policies on maternity leave and campaigning for uniforms made specifically for female bodies, as well as encouraging people from other minority groups to sign up.
It’s a truly rewarding role.
While we still have a long way to go, change is on the horizon. I’m honoured to be a part of it, making a difference and changing perceptions for good.’