Coronation Street
star Michelle Keegan (who plays feisty Tina McIntyre in the
popular soap) is fronting the 'Ordinary People,
Extraordinary Careers' campaign (www.direct.gov.uk/extraordinary)
to raise awareness among young girls aged 14 - 16 of a career in
the Fire & Rescue Service.
Michelle will be taking part in a firefighting challenge doing
various firefighter training exercises and is determined to prove
that she's got what it takes to be a firefighter. She
wants to inspire young girls across the country and show them that
they could have what it takes too.
Speaking about the challenge Michelle, whose uncle is an
operational firefighter in her home town of Manchester, says,
"I'm really looking forward to finding out
what's required to join the Fire & Rescue
Service. I know it's going to be a challenge but
I'm up for it. This is something that's close to
my heart. My uncle is a firefighter and has always been a real
inspiration to me so I'm incredibly proud to be
supporting this campaign. I want girls to realise that
firefighting isn't just a 'job for the
boys' - it's all about dedication and
perseverance - you can do anything if you put your mind to it!"
The challenge that Michelle will be taking part in includes
lifting and running with firefighting equipment and taking part in
typical circuit training to maintain fitness. These are examples
of tests that firefighters have to complete before beginning their
initial training with the Fire & Rescue Service and are a
good indication of what skills are needed.
Female firefighter Dany Cotton is Deputy Assistant Commissioner
for London Fire Brigade and member of Networking Women in the Fire
and Rescue Service, she says, "In the Fire and Rescue
Service women firefighters do exactly the same job as men and
it's great that Michelle is taking part in this
firefighting challenge to bring attention to this."
"Being a firefighter isn't about being
exceptionally strong. Nor does a firefighter only fight fires.
Firefighters have to be good communicators, sensitive to
people's needs and vulnerabilities. Girls should no
longer worry about whether they would be able to succeed in a
career that has traditionally been dominated by men. I did it. So
can they."
For information on careers in the Fire and Rescue Service visit:
www.direct.gov.uk/extraordinary
To view photographs that accompany release please follow the link below:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=411092&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=320
Notes to editors
1. Women make up 3.6 per cent of all firefighters in England.
They comprise 3.5 per cent of wholetime firefighters and 3.8 per
cent of on-call firefighters (ie those who have other primary
employment or role).
2. For further information on the 'Ordinary People,
Extraordinary Careers' campaign, images of Michelle
Keegan in action, and case studies of female firefighters please
contact:
Mary Price.
3. For general queries on fire and rescue policy please contact
Communities and Local Government press office Tel 0303 4441138.
Out of hour tel 0303 4441145. www.communities.gsi.gov.uk
The campaign aims to raise the profile and change perceptions of
the role of firefighter, in order to reach a wider, more diverse
audience to ensure the Fire and Rescue Service has the skills
needed for the modern world. Evidence shows that a more
representative Fire and Rescue Service is better equipped to
provide appropriate fire safety advice to our many communities
preventing fires from happening in the first place.
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Betty Nwosu
Phone: 020 7261 8849
betty.nwosu@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Carys Samuel
Phone: 020 7261 8775
carys.samuel@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Mary Price
Phone: 020 7261 8860
Mary.Price@coi.gsi.gov.uk