A fire service has launched a campaign to recruit more women firefighters.
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) aims to encourage more women to join the service as part of their recruitment drive.
This campaign was launched on March 7 to coincide with International Women's Day.
It highlights the career opportunities within the service and showcases experiences of women currently serving.
The percentage of women in the service has steadily increased in recent years, from 15 per cent in 2019/20 to 18 per cent in 2023/24.
Just under 10 per cent of the service’s firefighters are now female, up from only 1.83 per cent in 2015.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Sarah Nattrass, said: "When joining GMFRS, you are not just stepping into a job, you are embarking on a lifelong career with endless opportunities for growth.
"Here, every day brings new challenges and a clear path for progression, offering you the chance to build a future as rewarding as it is impactful."
Sammy Archer, who passed out in 2023 and is now an apprentice firefighter, said: "I have learned an incredible amount in my time as an apprentice firefighter facing so many tough but rewarding challenges.
"I’ve been inspired by so many people that I’ve worked with – including women across different roles and levels and male allies – and am so glad I made the change to become a firefighter."
Following an initial firefighter recruitment course, GMFRS offers a two-year firefighter apprenticeship providing a structured training programme with on-the-job experience and classroom learning.
Those interested in joining GMFRS and becoming a firefighter should go to the website and complete an expression of interest form.
On March 7, GMFRS hosted an event at the Bury Training and Safety Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day and the invaluable contributions made by GMFRS’s female staff and male allies.
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