South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service praised over International Women’s Day video

The video, which was distributed via the service's social media channels on Twitter and Facebook, aims to challenge myths and stereotypes around women in the fire service.

These include sexist beliefs like ‘women can’t drive’, ‘women aren’t brave enough’ and ‘women aren’t fit enough’ as well as old-fashioned attitudes such as ‘she couldn’t carry me out of a burning building’ and the fire service must have ‘lowered the standards to let women in’.

However, the video shows footage of SYFR’s female firefighters doing all those things and more, underlining the contributions they make at every level of the vital service.

The video ends with the words ‘choose to challenge’, the slogan of International Women’s Day 2021.

Since it was shared the film has attracted dozens of comments on Twitter praising the service for the innovative and inspiring idea.

Icelass on Twitter said: “What a great video. The comments you’ve included are all the sort of things that rile me and my reaction is ‘I’ll show ya’. Great work.”

ItzAnneka said: “Wonderful video, amazing ladies!”

And Wayne Brown said: “SYFR have done it again. A great International Women’s Day video.”

It is hoped that the service’s latest show of support for International Women’s Day will boost the number of women registering their interest in fire service careers.

This can be done here via the service’s website – with those who register their interest in firefighting jobs the first to know about any future recruitment.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.