Fire stations are crying out for a woman's touch. CATHERINE BRUCE looks at why more women should get to grips with fighting fires.

WHILE female police officers are commonplace, the sight of a woman driving a fire engine or saving someone from a burning building would still raise many eyebrows. And yet fire stations throughout the region are desperate for female recruits.

Pocklington Fire Station, in East Yorkshire, is particularly eager to welcome women into this traditionally all-male environment. The station, which is staffed by retained firefighters - part-time firefighters who are alerted to incidents by pager - is chronically short of personnel.

All new faces would be welcome but the station is especially keen to hear from anyone who could answer calls during the day. With many residents working in cities such as Leeds, York and Hull, the station believes one of the town's great untapped resources is at-home mothers whose children are at school.

Station Commander John Wilson rates female firefighters highly.

He said: "I have worked with female firefighters a lot and they bring their own characters to the shift. At first the culture does seem very male-oriented but really the culture isn't male or female, it's all about helping people."

John is concerned many women, who would make skilled firefighters, might be put off by the service's traditionally macho image.

"Women who have the urge to become a firefighter always do it well. This job isn't for everybody; determination to succeed is really important."

He added: "If women have children at school, it would be an ideal way to earn extra money and it's one of the most exciting jobs you can do."

The message that women are welcome in the fire service seems to be filtering through slowly.

Humberside Fire's personnel officer, Paul Cook, said around eight women had recently been taken on by the brigade, which has held female-only evenings to encourage potential recruits.

He said: "One of the biggest problems women face is within themselves, they see they are competing against men but that isn't the case. They don't have to be Superwoman to succeed."

He said the main criteria for becoming a retained firefighter are bravery and a desire to give something back to the community. Working as a retained firefighter could also let people decide whether they have got what it takes to become a professional firefighter.

"This job gives you a level of excitement that I don't think other jobs could. It can boost people's confidence and give them important team skills," said Paul.

The number of women in Humberside Fire Service has increased in the past two years but the organisation is keen to achieve a better gender balance.

Paul added: "I would welcome the day when we have a whole engine crewed by females. I am sure that day will come eventually."

Michelle Emmerson, 29, completed her training to become a retained firefighter ten weeks ago. Based at Market Weighton Fire Station, Michelle is an example of the new breed of women who love answering the call of duty. Her father was a firefighter when she was younger and she had always wanted to follow in his footsteps.

As a firefighter, Michelle leads a double life. By day she makes office furniture, while at night she is on hand to respond to incidents in the Market Weighton area. Being a firefighter isn't just about putting out fires. Often crew members are called out to road traffic accidents or minor incidents, such as releasing people trapped in lifts or helping householders who have been locked out of their homes.

Michelle said: "I always fancied doing it, it was finding the courage to apply to join."

Although Michelle is the only woman at Market Weighton Fire Station, she insists she has never encountered negative attitudes. In fact, she often forgets she is the only woman as she is so busy getting on with the job in hand.

"Sometimes they ask if I can manage something and they tend to mother me a bit and look after me. But the crew are all a really good laugh," she says.

"I can't think of a more rewarding job. It gives you a great feeling about yourself as you are doing it for the community. And it is brilliant for getting out of the house and keeping fit."

Michelle's decision to become a firefighter was fully supported by her husband, Pete, and all her friends. And although the training, which includes an eight-day course in using breathing apparatus, was at times gruelling, she says there is nothing a woman won't be able to do so long as they have a good level of general fitness.

She added: "Any woman who has a feeling they might like to give it a go, should go for it and get in touch with their local fire station."

To become a retained firefighter at Pocklington, recruits must be over 18, fit with good unaided sight and live within five minutes drive of the station. Anyone interested in becoming a firefighter should contact their local fire station for details.

Updated: 09:00 Tuesday, June 24, 2003