London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, Lucy Macleod, has been awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill fellowship. The fellowship will enable Macleod the opportunity to study best practice and ways to improve how operational firefighters across the UK handle bariatric patients in emergencies or disasters. The study, entitled: ‘No One Left Behind – National Operational Guidance on Bariatric Rescue in High Impact Events’, will cover planning, equipment, training and multi-agency response when rescuing a patient during an emergency or disaster.
Alongside her duties in the west London borough where she grew up, Macleod is the only female national tactical adviser in the country and is also a fellow of the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. Prior to receiving the Churchill Fellowship, she completed a Master’s degree (MSc) in disaster and crisis management with a thesis on bariatric rescue. She is also a fellow of both the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue (InSTR) and the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management (ICPEM).
The aim of Macleod’s research will be to provide recommendations for National Operational Guidance, helping both firefighters and partner agencies, to be better equipped to carry out safe, dignified and effective rescues – whatever the circumstances.
Last November, she was named Most Influential Woman in Fire at the Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards. In her spare time she has published a series of children’s books featuring her dog Blue, to inspire the next generation of firefighters to enter the profession.
Borough Commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, Lucy Macleod said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded a Churchill Fellowship. It provides a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts around the world, and bring that knowledge back home to improve how we protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities right here in London.
“I applied because I have seen first-hand how our communities are changing - we as a fire service need to evolve with them. During major incidents, evacuating and rescuing bariatric patients present significant operational, clinical and ethical challenges, yet there is currently limited national guidance in this area.
“I want to understand how other countries, such as Germany, Japan, Sweden and the USA, are addressing this challenge so we can learn from their expertise. This fellowship gives me a unique opportunity to do that.”
Macleod is one of 109 new Churchill Fellows announced by the charity, the Churchill Fellowship. The fellows represent different backgrounds, experiences, professions, and passions from around the UK. Each shares a commitment to inspiring change and building a better society through global learning.
Alongside Borough Commander Macleod, this year’s Fellows’ research will span a wide range of pressing issues - from tackling social media harm and creating climate-friendly school canteens to strengthening dementia care in rural communities. They will draw on experience and share knowledge with innovators in countries across the globe.
The Churchill Fellowship offers UK citizens a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the change they want to see. Each Fellowship funds an individual to spend four to eight weeks meeting global experts in their chosen field, in person or online, to build international networks and exchange knowledge. Fellows then turn their insights into action - transforming communities, shaping services, and influencing policy across the UK.
Julia Weston, Chief Executive of the Churchill Fellowship said: “In a world where looking outwards has never mattered more, there is something genuinely hopeful about people choosing to seek out new ideas, build connections across borders, and use that knowledge to create positive change.”
“I am delighted to welcome our 2026 Fellows. Each of them shows the power of curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn from others. We’re all looking forward to following their journeys and seeing the difference they make across the UK.”