Women in the Fire Service are proud to have a growing membership base, open to any gender aged 18 and over in the UK and beyond. We want to encourage greater diversity amongst our supporters and build our community by helping you to get to know our fabulous members.
Our members from all kinds of backgrounds and range from 18 to 64 years old. The majority work in the Fire Sector, covering a wide range of roles—Home Safety Advisors, HR Coordinators, Principal Fire Engineers, Finance Managers, Chief Fire Officers, Control Officers, Volunteer Coordinators, Communications Officers, and Apprentice Firefighters to name a few.
“I have always had a strong ethos of leading by example and being a visible role model, especially regarding learning, work-life balance, and well-being. So when I became aware of WFS, I saw it as an opportunity to broaden my learning and networks and to give something back.”
Sheetal Panchmatia
We love to feature our members to amplify their voices. Here you can find out more from a couple of our recent WFS individual members, Sheetal Panchmatia and Regina Bonas—about their career paths, ambitions, role models, and more. Meet Regina and Sheetal!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Name: Regina Bonas
Role: Assistant Project Manager
Organisation: London Fire Brigade
Age: 55-64 years
Can you tell us a little about your role and when you started your career in the Fire Service?
My career started in the London Fire Brigade (LFB) in 2001 as a temp in the Personnel Department at the former Eastern Command. I have worked in a few departments within the organisation since then—including the Community Safety Department where I worked as a Community Safety Senior Development Officer. I currently work as an Assistant Project Manager in the Portfolio Team within the Transformation Directorate. This is a new role within a new structure which will implement a portfolio management approach to the organisation’s activities. I’m also a member of the fantastic LFB Choir, who were shortlisted for the London Fire Brigade People Awards this year and I’ve been singing in the choir since 2019.
How did you first discover WFS?
I first heard about WFS from my colleagues, who told me about the support and networking activities promoted by WFS. And also when I attended an International Women’s Day event at LFB back in 2002. My very first event!
Why did you choose to be a WFS individual member?
I chose to be a member because I wanted to be a part of an organisation that supported women in their development and also because of the networking opportunities which Women in the Fire Service can offer to its members.
Who inspires you right now and why?
My Dad is by far my main inspiration. He came from a very humble childhood and became a successful businessman against all odds; his family and friends used to laugh at him for believing that he would accomplish such a feat. But he kept focused and never gave up his dreams.
What advice would you give to the next generation considering a career in the Fire Service?
The fire service plays an important role in the community and there are a variety of roles within it that contribute to its success; it offers you an infinite number of work opportunities in a diverse environment which allows you to grow both professionally and personally.
What’s your professional goal for the year ahead?
I want to play an active role in the Transformation Directorate and grow into a competent Project Manager.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Name: Sheetal Panchmatia
Role: Policy Officer
Organisation: National Fire Chiefs Council
Age: 45-54 years
Can you tell us a little about your role and when you started your career in the Fire Service?
I joined West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) in 2004, as their Partnerships Officer. Since then I’ve held many different roles including Policy, Community Safety and a secondment to the Government Office for West Midlands (GOWM) as the Regional Fire Service Lead. During my time at GOWM, I was part of the team that led on the national Prevention and Protection workstream, following the tragic events of Lakanal House, in 2009, and this is when my interest in fire safety was formed.
In 2013, I retrained as a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer, at WMFS, specialising in Licensing and Events and qualified with a Level 4 Diploma in ‘Fire Safety Inspecting Officer’. I’m now seconded to the National Fire Chiefs Council Protection and Policy Reform Unit, in the Building Safety Programme Team. Prior to my secondment, I’ve been a visiting lecturer for the University of Wolverhampton on Fire and Rescue Degrees.
Before joining WMFS, I worked for the Chartered Institute of Housing as an Education Officer and Service Development Manager. During my time there I played an integral part in the introduction of their Equality and Diversity Policy.
How did you first discover WFS?
Nick Coombe, my current manager and Michelle Hickmott, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service signposted me to Women in the Fire Service.
Why did you choose to be a WFS individual member?
I have always had a strong ethos of leading by example and being a visible role model, especially regarding learning, work-life balance, and well-being. So when I became aware of WFS, I saw it as an opportunity to broaden my learning and networks and to give something back. More recently I was touched when a colleague informed me that I had inspired them to apply for a job in Prevention following my presentation at a ‘NEET’ (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) event. Somebody also told me recently that seeing and hearing someone who represented them (an Asian female) speaking about strategic direction and changes in legislation gave them the confidence to go for a promotion. I have had some amazing mentors and leaders over the years, and I would like to pass on that support and learning to the next generation.
Who inspires you right now and why?
My grandparents and my two aunts—always have been and always will be! They have supported me in all my career choices. And they have encouraged me to be ambitious, community spirited, to lead by example and go against the grain, in a positive way!
What advice would you give to the next generation considering a career in the Fire Service?
It is a great career. I joined as a 12-month stop-gap while I decided what I wanted to do next. Having walked away from a strategic role where job satisfaction had ceased, I had become too comfortable in the role. 18 years on, I am still here, still waking up most mornings wanting to come to work. Roles in the FRS go beyond being an operational firefighter. You get the opportunity to have a vocation, no matter what the level of qualification or experience you have and to be part of a team and organisation that makes a difference. As with any organisation, there are positives and negatives within the FRS culture and environment. However, for me personally as a part-time carer, the support and flexibility to manage work-life balance, get involved in different projects, development opportunities and work with amazing people have been fundamental to still being here!
What’s your professional goal for the year ahead?
My secondment is due to end in March 2023, so I would like to secure a strategic and/or policy based role, ideally still within the FRS, that enables me to apply all the learning from this secondment, and previous roles. I would also like to undertake the Leadership qualification and the next level of Fire Safety qualifications.
Thanks to Sheetal and Regina for sharing their journeys with us.
Support our aims by becoming a WFS individual member—join online today.