International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women while reflecting on the progress still to be made. In the fire and life safety industry, that reflection carries particular significance.

This is a sector built on protecting lives, safeguarding communities and upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Yet historically it has been one of the most male-dominated industries. As the sector evolves, addressing this imbalance is not simply about representation, it is about ensuring the industry benefits from the widest possible range of skills, perspectives and talent.

Encouragingly, change is underway. More women are entering technical, operational and leadership roles, helping shape the future of fire and life safety while challenging outdated perceptions about who belongs in the industry.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we spoke with women who have built or are building successful careers across the sector. They shared insights into how the industry has evolved, the opportunities available and what more can be done to accelerate progress.

According to the latest workforce data, women represent around 9.7% of firefighters in England, up from 8.2% in 2022. Encouragingly, 15% of apprentice firefighters in the year ending March 2024 were women, highlighting progress in attracting more women into the profession. These statistics highlight two important realities: meaningful progress is happening, but sustained action is required to accelerate change.

Ian Moore OBE, CEO of the Fire Industry Association said:
“The fire and life safety industry is evolving, and with that evolution comes a responsibility to ensure it reflects the full breadth of talent available. The growing number of women entering technical, operational and leadership roles is strengthening the sector and bringing valuable new perspectives. At the Fire Industry Association, we believe that supporting diversity across the industry is not only about fairness - it is about building a stronger, more innovative and more resilient profession that is better equipped to protect people and communities.”

Women Driving Innovation, Collaboration and Global Growth

Across the fire and life safety industry, women are influencing how organisations innovate and grow.

Michelle Agius of Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd has spent 36 years in the industry and was the first female Board Director at Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd, appointed as Sales and Marketing Director. In this role she helped expand life safety systems internationally, particularly across the Middle East.

Reflecting on the industry’s development, Michelle says:

"When I first entered the fire safety sector, it was an overwhelmingly male-dominated environment. Over the years, I’ve been encouraged to see more women entering the industry and contributing across technical, commercial and leadership roles. The sector benefits when we open the door to a wider range of perspectives and experiences."

Michelle also established an independent panel partnership network that brought together manufacturers to support legislative change and product development. This helped make the open protocol market more accessible and encouraged wider innovation across the sector.

Sixteen years ago, Michelle founded her own company Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd, manufacturing, supplying and designing life safety systems. The business now exports to 44 countries and has received numerous industry awards recognising excellence in collaboration, partnership and manufacturing.

"The fire and life safety industry offers incredibly rewarding careers," Michelle adds. "It’s a sector where the work genuinely matters, and where there are real opportunities to grow, innovate and make a difference."

Michelle has also served as a Main Board Director with the Fire Industry Association since 2018 and currently chairs the Export and Marketing Group, supporting the UK fire sector’s engagement with global markets.

Leadership That Strengthens the Industry

Leadership within organisations is equally important in shaping the industry’s future.

Elaine Walters, Fire and Building Safety Manager at Gentoo, brings almost a decade of experience in fire safety, supported by earlier roles in planned and responsive maintenance within the housing sector. This background has given her a strong understanding of building safety, regulatory compliance and the challenges of protecting residents in higher-risk buildings.

Today she leads a team of six fire safety professionals and plays an important role in developing future talent within the sector. She currently supports three colleagues in development roles, including a graduate, a trainee and an apprentice Fire and Building Safety Advisor, helping them build the knowledge and confidence required to progress in the profession.

“Championing the next generation of fire and building safety professionals is something I care deeply about. By sharing knowledge, building confidence and creating clear growth pathways, I hope to play a small part in shaping a stronger, more diverse and resilient profession for the future.”

Expanding Roles Across the Industry

The range of careers within fire safety is broader than many people realise. According to Stacey Adams of Apollo Fire Detectors, women are now working across every area of the industry.

“From my experience, women are working right across the fire industry, not just in one area or type of role. I see women in technical and specification roles, project delivery, operations, commercial leadership, training, sustainability, compliance, and senior management. Many are also heavily involved in industry collaboration and standards work through organisations like the Fire Industry Association.

Importantly, their contributions are not peripheral. Women are influencing strategic decisions, shaping projects and delivering outcomes that directly affect customers, partners and end users.”

What women have brought to the fire industry

Many professionals highlight that women have strengthened communication and collaboration across teams. Fire safety is highly technical but also relies on trust, responsibility and strong relationships with customers and partners.

As the experiences shared in this article demonstrate, women across the fire and life safety sector are contributing directly to project delivery, leadership and professional development. From expanding international markets and supporting legislative change to mentoring new entrants and strengthening training pathways, their work is helping shape the industry’s continued growth and professionalism.

Building a More Inclusive Future

Increasing female representation in the fire safety sector must begin with greater awareness of the opportunities it offers.

Many women are unaware of the wide range of careers available in fire safety. Early engagement with schools, colleges and universities can help introduce these opportunities through career talks, industry presentations and partnerships with educational institutions.

Employers also play an important role. Apprenticeships, training programmes and entry-level opportunities can create clear pathways into the sector, while inclusive recruitment practices can encourage more women to consider technical and operational roles.

Perhaps most importantly, showcasing real career journeys helps demonstrate that there is no single path into the industry. Jenny Mair, now a Director at APS, began her career in the Civil Service before transitioning into the fire safety and compliance sector.

“Working in a small, supportive team gave me the chance to learn from experienced engineers, suppliers and auditors who emphasised one key principle: in fire safety, getting it right matters because lives depend on it. That mindset shaped my career. As APS grew, so did my role - progressing from administrator to office manager and ultimately Director, while gaining FIA qualifications along the way.

Fire safety remains a traditionally male-dominated industry, but it is changing - and for the better. My experience has shown me that with support, curiosity and confidence, women can thrive here.

I hope more women continue to explore this industry, because the opportunities are real, the work is meaningful, and the future is increasingly inclusive.”

Looking Ahead

The fire and life safety industry has a strong future. As buildings become more complex and safety expectations continue to rise, demand for skilled professionals across engineering, compliance, research and leadership will continue to grow.

Increasing the number of women working in the sector will help the industry reach its full potential. A more diverse workforce strengthens innovation, improves collaboration and supports the industry’s continued development.

In an industry dedicated to protecting lives, embracing the full breadth of talent available is not simply the right thing to do. It is essential for ensuring the highest standards of safety and the continued progress of the industry.

A Thank You to Our Contributors

The Fire Industry Association would like to thank the professionals who generously shared their experiences and insights for this article. We are grateful to Michelle Agius of Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd, Elaine Walters of Gentoo, Stacey Adams of Apollo Fire Detectors and Jenny Mair of APS for contributing their perspectives. Their stories help highlight the growing impact of women across the fire and life safety sector and inspire the next generation to explore the many opportunities the industry has to offer.

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