The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) has today taken action to improve changing and resting facilities at fire stations in London for women firefighters.
Common practice in the Brigade has been for women to access toilet and changing facilities at fire stations with a key. Authority members decided that this practice was no longer acceptable and have agreed that all facilities should be unlocked at fire stations, a move which supports the equal rights of women working for the Brigade.
Provisions for women at fire stations in London are among the best in the country with 106 of the Brigades 112 stations having at least one room designated for women’s resting. All of London’s stations have had separate toilets and showers since 2002 and there are separate resting facilities in 95 per cent of stations, rising to 98 per cent in 2009.
Councillor Brian Coleman AM FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said: “It was unacceptable that in this day and age women have to use a key to access their own facilities and I am delighted that we have taken the decision to change that. Working as a firefighter is an excellent career opportunity for women, but we must have appropriate fire station facilities. This is yet another example of London taking the lead on equality issues.”
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