Colleagues from Essex’s emergency services joined together on Wednesday 4 March, to celebrate International Women’s Day this week and mark the tenth year of a joint event recognising the achievements of women working across the sector.
Each year in the week of 8 March, colleagues from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust join together to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The annual event highlights the achievements of women working in emergency services and provides an opportunity for colleagues to hear from speakers on topics including wellbeing, professional development and health.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Else
Chris Else, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said the event was an important opportunity to recognise the contributions of women across emergency services while supporting colleagues’ wellbeing.
He said: “I’m proud to be part of the emergency services in Essex and to see events like this bringing colleagues together. This is now our tenth International Women’s Day event, which is a fantastic milestone and a credit to everyone who has helped make it happen each year.
“This event recognises the strength and dedication of the women across our emergency services while also creating space to talk openly about wellbeing, health and the realities many women face both inside and outside of work.
“Your professionalism strengthens our communities every single day. What we give is what we gain as we serve our communities to the very best of our abilities.”
Chris also highlighted the Service’s commitment to preventing violence against women and girls.
He said: “I’m proud that Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is now accredited by White Ribbon UK. This is a commitment to promoting respect, equality and positive change, and to challenging the harmful behaviours and attitudes that enable violence against women and girls.”
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said tackling violence against women and girls must remain a shared responsibility.
He said: “It’s important to say that dealing with violence against women and girls and changing the way society treats women is everybody’s business.
“As a husband and a father of daughters, I feel strongly that men have a responsibility to be part of the solution. It is predominantly men’s behaviour that creates the problems women experience, and it’s vital that we challenge that and talk openly about it.
“We are working hard across Essex in partnership to reduce domestic abuse. While we have seen a nearly 20 per cent reduction from its peak, domestic abuse still accounts for around 20 per cent of all crime in the county, which is far too high. We must continue working together to prevent harm and support victims.”
The conference also included a range of guest speakers covering topics such as heart health awareness, breast cancer awareness, mental health and burnout, professional development, and tackling domestic abuse.
Attendees heard from organisations supporting victims and survivors, including Changing Pathways and Alpha Vesta, as well as wellbeing sessions designed to support colleagues working in high-pressure environments.
Together, the event celebrated the contributions of women working in emergency services across Essex while continuing important conversations about health, wellbeing and equality in the workplace.