East Sussex Volunteer Coordinators Win "Women In Fire Service" Awards

Two Service Volunteer Coordinators for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have won national awards recognising women across the country who work for fire services.

According to the awards' jury, Toni Annette-Norman and Linda Baker demonstrated "unwavering dedication to the service", to take the Women in the Fire Service 2020 Corporate Star Supporters award.

Judges said they were impressed by their contribution to improved recruitment, and the retention or progression of women, thereby enabling women to develop through access to opportunities and resources.

The panel said the pair's nomination referred to:

"...the recruitment of women with a variety of abilities, including learning and physical needs as volunteers, who now contribute to community events, station days and prevention campaigns.

"They are inclusive, encouraging and ensure that our volunteers have fun, as well as developing them and contributing hundreds of hours of volunteering to our community.

“They are a double act...they ooze inclusion, fun and community spirit and have helped ensure that women get a sense of worth from contributing as volunteers to community safety as part of our service."

Chief Fire Officer Dawn Whittaker praised both Toni and Linda for their dedication saying:

“Women in the Fire Service is an organisation that has steadfastly championed ALL women that work in Fire and Rescue Services, no matter their role, and it is fantastic to see two such passionate and dedicated ladies win.

“They are true ambassadors and do such a wonderful job encouraging and supporting our volunteers, as well as designing new ways to contribute and support ESFRS objectives.”

Afterwards, Toni Annette-Norman commented:

"I am honoured and very blessed to receive the ‘Corporate Star Supporter’ award.

"It has only been made possible because I work with such wonderful Community Volunteers who are the real stars!

"I look forward to supporting them all in their future volunteering work."

Jules King, WFS chair and awards panel judge added:

“Volunteers in the Fire and Rescue Services provide an exceptional service to the local communities and make a vital contribution providing fire and road safety information, and practical assistance to the local community.

"We are proud that our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and have varying abilities, who are able to assist at many events, as well as fundraising activities."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service says women continue to be underrepresented in the UK fire and rescue service, with only six per cent of operational firefighters being female.

At present, both East Sussex's and West Sussex's chief fire officers are women.

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