“Finding their voices” on International Women’s Day

As this year’s International Women’s Day theme focuses on accelerating action, the Blue Light Speakers Agency presents a stellar line-up of inspirational women speakers

Dany Cotton QFSM

Abby Hannah

Dawn Whittaker KFSM

Debbie O’Neill

Alex Johnson QFSM

Jules King QFSM

“It's really positive for people to be brave and show some courage and find their voices” says Jules King QFSM in our special International Women’s Day Podcast.

“I like to focus on equality and fairness in the fire and rescue service. People often relate positive action to giving women a leg up, that we just want women in the service. But there’s so many people that will just not consider a career in the fire and rescue service for women because it’s set so early in our life about what we think is achievable for us. And most women don't think a career in fire and rescue services is for them.

“When we do positive action, it's just about giving them the opportunity and the information to think, ‘I didn't know that we could do that. I didn't know that's what a firefighter did. I didn't know all these roles were available across the fire and rescue service’. It’s just about educating and supporting women.”

Reflecting on who has inspired her journey through the fire and rescue service, Jules mentions Cheryl Rolf, as well as BLSA speakers Danny Cotton, Alex Johnson and Dawn Whittaker. “I get really inspired by seeing women coming up through the fire and rescue service. They've got role models to help them and they in turn then become the role models. I just want to help firefighters and junior staff to find the confidence to go for promotion… there’s lots of women that have connected and we are all inspiring each other…”