In the run-up to the 12th International Women in Engineering Day, a range of educational activities headed by Fire Investigator Lisa Wincott is inspiring pupils across London.

Through its Fire Investigation team, London Fire Brigade is encouraging young women to explore their potential as engineers, scientists, and future leaders. With women making up just 26 per cent of the UK’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce, Lisa’s work is helping to close the gender gap.

Lisa recently gave a lecture to first-year Forensic Criminology students at the University of Greenwich. Using real case studies, CCTV clips, and forensic techniques from fire scenes, her talk brought classroom theory to life and introduced the varied career opportunities available within the Brigade.

Dr Molly Ackhurst, Lecturer in Criminology at Greenwich University, said:
“Lisa Wincott came and spoke to first year Forensic Criminology students about fire investigation and impressed many of our students. After first discussing the science behind not only how fires spread, but how she, as a Fire Investigator, figures out what has taken place at a scene, Lisa went onto discuss real cases.
“The case which many of the students found most terrifying, was the video of the e-bike catching fire in a hallway.
“We received many compliments about Lisa’s lecture, and we were told by some of them it was their favourite class of the term”.

Following the success of the talk, students were invited to Dowgate Fire Station to get hands-on experience with Fire Investigation. They had the chance to try on protective gear, operate specialist tools, examine real evidence, and meet Smokey, the Brigade’s fire investigation dog.

First year student, Kiara Curzon, said:
“It was a fantastic morning I really enjoyed it. It has intrigued me to find out more about fire investigation after my studies. Trying on the gear made it feel real, and I could've kept it on and gone to work! Also seeing Smokey in action was utterly brilliant.”

This outreach forms part of a broader campaign by the Brigade to highlight fire safety risks and promote career paths that go beyond firefighting. Lisa Wincott, together with Station Officer Steve Girling, also hosted Year 10 pupils from Norbury High School for Girls, leading engaging sessions that introduced students to the dynamic fields of forensic science and public safety.

Lisa explained:
“I’ve always been fascinated by forensics, which led me to study Forensic Biology and later earn a master’s in Fire Investigation. I joined the Brigade in 2019 as a non-uniformed staff member, training alongside operational colleagues and gaining the same qualifications.
“It’s important for young people to see that the fire service offers more than just firefighting. There’s a whole world of science, investigation, and public service to discover. If I can inspire even a few to pursue a meaningful and challenging career in fire investigation, I’ll feel proud of the impact I’ve made.”

With further partnerships already in the pipeline, London Fire Brigade continues to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world professions, encouraging more young women to consider futures in STEM.

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