08/03/2026
This we take the opportunity to highlight some of the incredible trailblazing female role models who inspired generations of women to follow in their footsteps and join a community dedicated to keeping us safe and well in our emergency services every day.
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In 1865, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became the first woman to qualify as a doctor in Britain. She bypassed bans on female students by studying privately and finding a legal loophole. Her actions forced a change in rules to prevent other women from following her, a restriction that lasted for 23 years. She later became the first female mayor and first female magistrate in the UK.
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In 1915, Edith Smith made history as the UK’s first female police officer with powers of arrest, despite the Home Office advising against it…. It took another 60 years before women could join public order policing, which is the branch of policing focused on public safety during protests, marches, demonstrations and civil unrest.
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Although records show women working in the fire service since 1879, it’s hard to believe that just 34 years ago, in 1982, Josephine Reynolds became the first female wholetime firefighter in Britain after training with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. Today almost 4000 female firefighters across the UK keep us safe and continue to inspire other woman to join the fire service.
We give a particular shoutout to and who have supported since our inception in 1992.
