National Womans Commitee

In 1989 women members in London organised a meeting to deal with problems relating to women that were not being addressed through the normal channels of the FBU. It was not long before women in other areas of the country were organising themselves or contacting the London women for advice about the problems and issues that they were experiencing. It was clear to women members that something radical needed to be done to identify and stop issues that were adversely affecting women in the Fire Service such as; poorly fitting uniform, lack of facilities, no Maternity Policy and women being harassed and bullied. Women campaigned to be included formally within the FBU for many years and worked hard for recognition. The fire brigades Union realised its need to redress the balance of representation and as a consequence the National Women’s Committee was fully integrated into the Fire Brigades Union after its Annual Conference in 1999.

 

·   The National Women’s Committee comprises of a Representative from each region, a Secretary and Chair to the Committee and an Executive Council Member

·    The Secretary, Chair and Executive Council Member are elected by women members.

·    The National Women’s Committee has representation with full voting rights at Brigade, Region, and Executive Council      level.

·    The National Women’s Committee has its own newsletter ‘Siren’.

·    The National Women’s Committee has a dedicated website and can be located at www.nwcfbu.co.uk

·    The NWC Mission statement clearly sets out the aims of the National Womens Committee siren_spr04_mission.pdf