Female firefighters’ forum wants more women to join the service

CO CARLOW’s female firefighters now have a specific forum to raise issues but also to encourage other women to become part of this invaluable role.

Last week marked the first meeting of Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service Female Firefighter Network, where the county’s three female firefighters met senior management to discuss items such as buildings, facilities, PPE, uniform and improving communication and workplace culture. The network is seen as not only helping to retain the service’s complement of female firefighters but also make the position more attractive to future female applicants when vacancies arise.

The firefighters presented excellent ideas, some of which can be addressed immediately.

Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service is very proud of its female firefighters: Madeline Condon in Bagenalstown, Geraldine Strahan in Hacketstown and Teegan Joyce in Tullow. All became the first females in their respective fire stations, with Geraldine becoming the first in the county fire service when she joined in 2019.

“Our three female firefighters make up just 6% of our overall operational firefighting workforce complement,” said acting chief fire officer Ben Woodhouse.

“To put this group together and provide an opportunity to meet myself as the A/CFO and other senior fire officers responsible for managing operations will hopefully provide a communication channel and a voice for female firefighters to work with management to drive change, to retain our female staff and to become ambassadors in making the role more attractive to females considering a career with the fire service.

“I look forward to periodic meetings in maintaining and further enhancing our workplace for all,” said Ben.

“As with all our firefighters, we are proud of the role they do serving and protecting our communities in their time of need,” he concluded.