Women in the Fire Service in Scotland Event 2026
2026 event
We’re excited to announce that our Scottish Women in the Fire Service Event will take place on the weekend of 12 and 13 September with a theme of Give to Gain.
This is the event’s third year and as in previous years, there will be a programme which includes inspiring speakers, health and wellbeing information, practical workshops, as well as networking opportunities.
Please see our timetable for more information of what is planned for the weekend.
If you have any questions, please contact us at sfrs.womeninthefireservice@firescotland.gov.uk.
Introducing our guest speaker
We’re looking forward to welcoming Dr Emily Watkins to present at our Women in the Fire Service Event in Scotland on Sunday 13 September.
Dr Watkins is a senior lecturer and researcher in environmental and exercise physiology at the University of Roehampton.
She gained her PhD from the University of Brighton in 2018, having studied the physiological and immunological consequences of Fire Service Instructors’ working practices.
Over the last few years Dr Watkins has been working on studies focusing on the health and well-being of firefighters, with particular emphasis on thermoregulation, inflammation, and female firefighters.
She is also a member of the UK National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and Research group and the Vice Chair of the NFCC FireFit Steering group.
See more at: Emily Watkins - University of Roehampton
Timetable and joining details
Please see our timetable of event for our 2026 event and details about the event day.
Book here:
To book your place, please complete our short booking form. Please review our event privacy policy before submitting your details.
Help us promote our event:
You can also help us to promote our event by downloading and displaying the downloadable poster and displaying in your station or place of work.
Previous events in 2025
The second year of our Women in the Fire Service in Scotland event was held in 2025 and chaired by Area Commander Lynne Gow.
Theme was Past, Present and Future.
Speakers listed below discussed their personal experiences and shared aspirations:
- Group Manager Jenny Schamp from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.
- Amy Keirl, a Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist with the National Fire Chiefs Council
- Volunteer Support Watch Commander Laura McHardy
Attendees from all roles across the Service and from all areas travelled to our National Headquarters in Cambuslang.
They were also joined by attendees from other fire and rescue services, partner organisations and charities.
WFS 2025 Event Consensus Statement
At our event in 2025 – we worked together and developed the following statement of aspirations for the future.
“We believe that the SFRS of 2035 should represent and support women at all stages of their career, to become an organisation that leads the way for women’s experience.
In future, women in SFRS will be an equal and integral part of the workforce, inspiring the next generation.
To achieve this vision, we must drive empowerment, allyship and create an environment where the equipment and facilities for everyone are mainstream.”
“I heard truly inspirational and powerful talks from guest speakers and learned from some amazingly courageous and dedicated women. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to connect and network with everyone that attended and join in in some practical exercises such as USAR and driving an appliance. I am also grateful to everyone that took part in making the weekend a resounding success and I am excited to apply some unexpected takeaways to my own work.”
Orla Thomson, Wellbeing People Advisor
“This event just continues to grow and get better. It’s been great to bring people together and to be able to grow our networks and provide encouragement, support and learning.”
Watch Commander Ashleigh Grieve
“Thanks so much to SFRS for the opportunity to travel down from Shetland to attend this awe-inspiring event! We had the best time laughing, crying and learning from all the inspirational speakers and instructors. It was a privilege to be in the room with them all. We have left the event feeling motivated to make our own changes, to encourage more women to join up, and to help lead the way towards a Fire Service that strives to represent and inspire women. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and hoping more women get to have the amazing experience we did! Seize the opportunity lasses - you will love it!”
Kate Wills, on call firefighter, Whalsay Fire Station, Shetland
“Attending the WIFS Conference was a highlight of my year as I was seriously impressed by my colleagues and the guest speakers who demonstrated lessons learned from the past. They showed strength, honesty, and vulnerability. Their willingness to share their stories to help others and with the group working collectively to develop solution focused ideas to take us into the future, I walked away feeling confident that we will take the service to where it needs to be. The opportunity to present to this group was a privilege for me. Thank you.”
Gwyneth Jones, SFRS Screening Nurse, Wellbeing Team