Female leaders within the emergency services across Herefordshire share their views on International Women’s Day (IWD) and what it means to them. The theme this year is Inspire Inclusion, with the aim of the campaign to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women.
As seen online in the Hereford Times and Your Herefordshire.
CAPTION: L-R: Julz Watson (West Mercia Police), Michelle Brotherton (West Midlands Ambulance Trust) and Sam Pink (Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service) support the theme of #InspireInclusion for International Women’s Day 2024.
Inspector Watson, West Mercia Police, says: “‘You can only aspire to what you see’ is a quote that is very apt in the police service…” Indeed, women make up only 34% of Officers in England and Wales, with female representation at Chief Constable rank at 30%.
Julz continues: “We work in an age where there is a drive to increase workforce diversity in all its forms – to provide a police service that is truly representative of the communities it serves; however we are not yet a the point of gender parity. We too are working hard to stamp out sexism and misogyny – ensuring that workplaces are inclusive for all, providing everyone with a voice and the confidence to be an upstander to support their colleagues.”
Michelle Brotherton, Non-Emergency Services Operations Delivery and Improvement Director at West Midlands Ambulance Trust, has 30 years’ experience in the service, joining at age 16. She is also currently Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer and remains an operational paramedic. Michelle confirms that:
“When I started, we had a handful of operational female emergency staff and we now make up 50.15%.
Overall, across all staff, the split is 51.6%.
The Assistant Chief continues: This demonstrates how much work West Midlands Ambulance Service has undertaken to not only attract female team members but also increase female staff throughout the ranks.”
Michelle also remarks: “Reflecting back to where we were when I started, it’s amazing to see the progress. I’m really proud of my career, joining as a 16-year-old straight from school, and also raising four children whilst managing my job. Obviously, you need a good infrastructure and support network but if I can do it, so can you!”
Sam Pink, Area Commander, Assistant Director of Response at Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service agrees:
“As someone who spent most of my career in a male-dominated sector and as a female Senior Leader in a Fire and Rescue Service, I recognise that promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion is not a goal; it is a responsibility.”
The Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service employee network groups play a critical role in helping Sam and the team appreciate differences and create forums to build a culture of empathy and respect. Sam continues:
“At Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service women can see themselves represented at all levels of the organisation. Almost 40 percent of the Service’s corporate board is comprised of female directors. This is only the beginning…
Area Commander Pink confirms: “We wholly support the #InspireInclusion theme, in creating an equitable and inclusive workplace for all team members. Everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, wants to work for an organisation that prioritises their health and well-being, promotes education and career opportunities, and provides opportunities to develop.”
Author – Ruby Edwards
West Mercia Police: https://www.westmercia.police.uk/
West Midlands Ambulance Trust:
Michelle is also the Executive Sponsor of the well-established women’s network, who have a big day planned for IWD2024. The service encourages and has put in place, for example, menopause champions, health and wellbeing officers as well as diversity champions to promote and include women within the force. The Trust’s ‘Springboard’ programme also aims to support females through the ranks. https://wmas.nhs.uk/
Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service:
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service recently hosted an annual event ‘Lift As You Climb’, uniting women in motivational career and personal development discussions. Two professional and inspiring women speakers attended: Sarah-Jayne Bray and Georgina Gilbert. Sarah talked about her experience as Chair of the South Wales Policing Gender Equality Network, her career journey, and how to build self-confidence. She spoke of ‘truth to power’ and what she considers game changers, when looking to turbo charge your development. Georgina was nominated as the most influential LGBT individual in the Fire Service, by Excellence in Fire and Emergency. She went on to successfully pioneer a new route across the South Pole, completing a 1,230km ski across the Antarctic in temperatures as low as -50 degrees.
“Our Women@HWFire group inspires success and empowerment, cultivates community among women in the Service, and encourages them to connect to share advice and support on career development.”
Sam Pink says: “Seeing women in roles within the Fire Sector will inspire every girl and young woman who thinks that they can’t participate because of their gender. We want to inspire them to find their determination to change the narrative of what it means to be a girl, and achieve great things far beyond their own and others’ expectations.
You are the best advocate for yourself and the change you want to see. Saying “yes” to new opportunities can make you feel more powerful.
Together, we can #InspireInclusion by increasing female visibility and cultivating career growth to help shape a healthier and safer world for everyone, everywhere, every day.”
https://www.hwfire.org.uk/
