International Women's Day 2022

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. 

Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

We joined other Fire and Rescue Services to celebrate International Women's Day 2022, running events throughout the week from 7-11 March.

Where possible, we have provided videos of the events, and we have left details of the other events so you can see just what we covered. If you can't access the video please email communications@esfrs.org for help.

33 Years of Fate and Opportunities 

Tuesday 8 March 10:00-11:00

Hosted by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service 

Area Manager Kathy Collis (DWFRS) talked about how fate and opportunities have impacted her career journey with the Fire Service. 

Kathy joined the fire service 33 years ago. She’s moved into different roles within the service, and is currently Head of Learning and Organisational Development.

The session aimed to find out how she tackled challenges in the past, made the most of opportunities as they’ve come along and is now working to shape the fire service of the future.


Have you got what it takes to be a firefighter? 

Tuesday 8 March - all day 

Hosted by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

We asked whether people fancied conquering their fear of heights by taking on the ladder climb? Or perhaps they want to take on the fire service’s brain game - the equipment assemble!  This have a go day took place at Chichester Fire Station.


Combats to Catwalks

Tuesday 8 March 12:00 - 13:00

Hosted by Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service

Twelve years in the British Army established Katrina Hodge as a courageous member of the military service. Her enduring bravery ensured countless lives were saved. Katrina was commended for her bravery while serving in Iraq. 

She has also become a major role model for young women, thanks to her candidacy in the Miss World Pageant. Helping to initiate change in the competition, she came runner-up in the 2009 Miss England contest and was promoted to winner due to the previous winner being involved in a fight. 

She was instrumental in the bikini round's removal from the competition after she campaigned for the beauty pageants to be more about the woman behind the body, saying: "It's about being a good role model".


Heroes and Sheroes 

Wednesday 9 March 10:00-11:00

Hosted by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

WSFRS Chief Fire Officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton explored gender bias in the Fire & Rescue Service and why it matters.

Throughout her career as a firefighter, Sabrina has pursued further education. She is a Chartered Psychologist and her pioneering research into critical decision-making has received national and international recognition. She is an Honorary Fellow at Cardiff University and continues to lead collaborative research with the National Fire Chiefs Council to drive evidence-based policy.

Watch the session here: https://youtu.be/ULQ3ZRqQxxg
 



Choose Your Flight Path

Wed, 9 March 2022 14:00 – 15:00 GMT

Hosted by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

We joined Mandy Hickson to hear about her experiences as a Tornado pilot for the RAF.

Finding a love of flying early in life, Mandy had to fight hard to achieve her ambition of becoming an RAF pilot. She was only the second woman to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line, completing three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq. Mandy’s inspiring story is one of drive and determination, triumphs and setbacks.

Mandy spoke to us about her career during a virtual, hour long session, with the opportunity for attendees to ask questions at the end.



Finding your voice 

Thursday 10 March 11:00-12:00

Hosted by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service 

From John Lewis to Chief Fire Officer via the Home Office, Dawn Whittaker’s had plenty of experience in different working environments. 

Passionate about charity work, Dawn has also worked as a volunteer, fundraiser and also as a Trustee on the Board of several charities including Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Royal Lifesaving Society UK. 

Hear about her experiences and pick up tips on how to find your voice, whether it’s in meetings or on the fireground. 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/PKDZQa4a86M 



Menopause Awareness Webinar

Thursday 10 March 2022 12:00 – 13:30 

Hosted by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Menopause can have an effect on us all, whether we're experiencing menopause directly or supporting a family member, friend or colleague. 

While some will sail through menopause, 3 in 4 experience symptoms and as many as 1 in 4 have serious symptoms. However, around half have never consulted a healthcare professional about their menopause. 

Research also shows that the majority of those experiencing the menopause are unwilling to discuss menopause-related health problems with their managers or ask for any support they may need.

In this educational and engaging session, we aimed to help you understand:

  • What menopause is, how to recognise the symptoms and how someone may be affected by menopause.
  • The options available to manage symptoms and long-term health.
  • What support is available and how to access it, both at work and outside work.



Wellbeing and Work - Break the Bias

Friday 11 March 09.30-10:30

Hosted by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Dr Penny Fraser is a medical doctor and mother of two teenage girls aged 15 and 16. She trained and worked in London as a surgeon before moving to Geneva, Switzerland in 2004. There she has been an Emergency Medicine doctor, First Aid Trainer, Prison doctor and mental health patient.

We joined her to find out about the good and bad strategies she has used to #breakthebias in own life and how we can all support each other.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/qN-U0Kx-Tqg


Imposter Syndrome Workshop

Friday 11 March 11:00-12:00

Hosted by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service 

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? Like your friends or colleagues are going to discover you’re a fraud, and you don't actually deserve your job and accomplishments?

If so, you’re in good company. These feelings are known as Imposter Syndrome or Imposter Phenomenon, and, according to research, up to 70% of us will struggle with it at some point in our lives.

This workshop honoured the benefits of feeling like this, considering the long-term consequences, asking the group to share their tips and techniques and creating a space where we can all learn from each other.

This session was led by Sarah Scarratt and Rachel Gilmore from We Are Clean, both certified facilitators in Clean Language and Systemic Modelling.


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