Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Prevention Trainer named Bright Light

Joint Press Release (Women in the Fire Service UK & Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

6th May 2022

Sue Mallinson, a Prevention and Youth Engagement Training Officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has been named joint ‘Bright Light Award’ winner in the Women in the Fire Service Awards 2022.

Sue, who joined GMFRS in 2008, was nominated in the national awards for her remarkable contributions to the Fire Service.

The ‘Bright Light’ category recognises individuals who have made a notable contribution in supporting the aims of Women in the Fire Service (WFS) and led the way in their role in the fire service, acting as a shining example to others through recruitment, retention or progression of women or enabled women to develop through access to opportunities and resources.

About Sue

In the award entry, Sue Mallinson was described by the team as regularly going above and beyond in all that she did with 110% commitment. Sue helped to start the Service’s Women’s Success and Support staff network for women and allies in the workplace. The network has been successful and well attended and was launched by Dany Cotton on International Women’s Day.

Sue was described as “tenacious”, being very much about looking after everyone else and making sure they had support no matter who they were. Sue continuously strives to make a positive impact within the organisation and goes out of her way to assist colleagues who need support.

She runs the network in her own time and sits with colleagues as a stakeholder to design policy. An ambassador for GMFRS, Sue is an equality champion and stands up and is counted when it comes to overcoming bias, barriers or misogyny.

Dave Russel Chief Fire Officer at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “I am delighted that Sue has won the ‘Bright Light’ award at this year’s Women in the Fire Service Awards. This is a fantastic achievement and is a testament to her determination and commitment to our fire service and the communities we serve.

“Sue had a key role in setting up our Women’s Success and Support Network that supports women across GMFRS and the wider Greater Manchester Combined Authority. In her role as Prevention and Youth Engagement Trainer and as co-chair of the network Sue will continue to make a difference for colleagues, and I would like to congratulate her on winning this award.

“Sue is a great ambassador for our organisation and reflects the values we want to see as we strive to be a Service that truly reflects all our communities.”

Speaking on the notification of her award, Sue said: “I am blown away to be a winner and I am testament to having empowered women to support me to achieve my absolute best.”

About Women in the Fire Service

Women in the Fire Service UK is a not-for-profit organisation who work in partnership with its corporate members to advance equality in the sector.

WFS Chair, Jules King QFSM, said: “Sue is so deserving of this award. Undoubtedly a hugely positive force and a fantastic ambassador for GMFRS. We all need a bright light in the workplace, someone who not only champions women’s successes but who finds positive solutions through collaboration and supporting others.”

Category sponsors of the Bright Light Award were Serve and Protect Credit Union.

Winners and runners-up receive prizes, as well as an invitation to attend a special award ceremony in June.

There were a total of sixty nominations across five categories from twenty-five Fire Services.

The Women in the Fire Service Awards opened to entries in November 2021 and closed on 15th March 2022. The Award Ceremony takes place at The Fire Service College on Friday 10th June 2022.

Women in the Fire Service UK is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation which exists to advance equality, addressing gender imbalance in the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS). Women are vastly underrepresented in firefighting. Government figures (2021) show just 7.5% of firefighters in England are women.

For more information about WFS visit: www.wfs.org.uk

For more information about GMFRS visit: