Author: Sonja Francis

OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has the highest proportion of female retained firefighters in the country, according to the latest available figures.
The figures, from March 2007, show women accounted for seven per cent (25 out of 332) of the total retained workforce – almost twice the national average of 3.6 per cent.

Thame fire station currently has three female firefighter, including recent recruits, Alison Haigh and Vickie Whitney, along with old-hand, Kirsten Purnell.

The Fire and Rescue service has stepped up its efforts to increase diversity as part of its recruitment drive in recent years, aiming to attract more women and people from minority ethnic groups across the county.

And with women currently accounting for 15 per cent of prospective recruits taking the basic retained firefighter courses, the upward trend looks set to continue.

Further work

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety Judith Heathcoat said: “This really is excellent news and demonstrates that the messages we are taking to communities across Oxfordshire are taking effect.
“But we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to encourage those who have not traditionally been attracted to a career in the Fire and Rescue service to come forward.”

In line with other parts of the UK, the proportion of full-time female firefighters in Oxfordshire is significantly lower, at 2.06 per cent, owing in part to the slower turn-over of staff in full-time positions.

Chief Fire Officer John Parry said: “Although perceptions are changing and stereotypes have been challenged, there is clearly further work to be done.
“The figures show we are ahead of the game and while we are obviously delighted by this, we will continue our efforts to appeal to as wide a cross-section of society in Oxfordshire as possible.”

Photo: Thame firefighter Kirsten Purnell, from Tiddington

As part of National Tackling Drugs Week, which starts on Monday (19/5), Thames Valley Police is highlighting its commitment and ongoing work to tackle drugs in its neighbourhoods.
Operation Falcon was launched in 2006 with the emphasis on partnership working and finding ways to tackle drug issues from different angles using the different authorities and services provided, as well us using enforcement such as arrests and drugs warrants.

Dr Shona Morrison, Force Drugs Coordinator, said: ?Reducing drug-related crime and offending continues to be a key Government priority. Thames Valley Police are committed to continue to help deliver this priority through the continuation of Operation Falcon.

?Falcon involves working closely with partner agencies, such as local Drug Action Teams (DATs), to address drug problems in the longer term. In all parts of Thames Valley police and partners have signed up to this shared approach to tackling drug supply and drug-related criminality.

?We aim to prevent displacement of drug markets and to encourage drug users into treatment. The Drugs Intervention Program (DIP) is the primary vehicle for this, which involves drug testing and assessing those arrested for specific offences, then ensuring that subsequent community sentences or prison terms involve access to relevant drug treatment.

?Drug enforcement in the Thames Valley is prioritised to deal swiftly with gangs and individual dealers who cause the greatest harm to the communities in which they operate. For instance, crack house legislation has now been enacted in every police Basic Command Unit (BCU) and neighbourhood officers receive regular updates of community concerns about drugs through Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs).

?We publicise successes in relation to enforcement and drug treatment referral with a view to reassuring the public that their concerns are being heard and are being tackled effectively. We are also using a range of communication techniques, such as leaflet drops, during and after drugs enforcement activity to provide the public with information and advice about the nature of the operation, and the agencies that can be contacted for further information or assistance.?