In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) on June 23, London Fire Brigade (LFB) highlight its 'ongoing dedication' to supporting women in engineering.

Through the work of its Fire Engineering and Fire Investigation teams, the Brigade says it is fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), both through its internal and external work.

The Fire Engineering Group plays a critical role in supporting fire investigations, fire safety enforcement activities, and conducting over 10,500 building consultations annually.

Since 2017, the team has expanded from seven members to a team of 26, with nearly 40% being women – significantly surpassing the national average of female engineers in industry which currently stands at 16%.

LFB say it not only funds and supports individuals from various staffing groups to gain fire engineering qualifications but also introduced a graduate entry programme in recent years, to professionally develop new talent from broader engineering and science backgrounds.

Lynsey Seal, joint head of the Fire Engineering Group and with 20 years of service at the Brigade, showcases the organisation's commitment to supporting women in engineering.

Seal said: "Our Fire Engineering is probably the most diverse team in the Brigade. We've a really good culture; everyone looks out for each other and is supportive.

"We couldn't have lucked out more with the team we have. The talent we have been able to attract from a variety of different areas only serves to support the team in what they are trying to deliver.

"I'd also like to highlight the wonderful male allies I have had throughout my career at the Brigade. That support has been so vital."

Lynsey Seal, joint head of the Fire Engineering Group (credit: London Fire Brigade).

As a STEM ambassador and Member of the Women's Engineering Society, Seal regularly participates in STEM-focussed outreach to inspire the next generation of female engineers.

Most recently she presented at the University of Central Lancashire on creating inclusive work environments, using the Fire Engineering Group as a prime example.

She also lead on children's book project My Mummy Is A Firefighter, which not only challenged gender-based stereotyping around the tole of a firefighter but also highlighted how the Brigade utilises engineering and Stem across roles.

Externally, the Brigade's Fire Investigation (FI) team is making strides in encouraging young women to pursue careers in forensic science and engineering.

One notable initiative is the outreach work conducted by Fire Investigation team members Steve Girling and Lisa Wincott with Norbury High School for Girls (NHSG), enabling those studying Forensic Science to engage directly with Fire Investigators.

Natalie Joyce, a Forensic Science teacher at NHSG, highlighted the impact of this work: "The students loved every minute of the experience.

"They learned so much, and meeting the team has definitely inspired some of the girls to pursue forensics.

"They were even able to meet Fire Investigation dog Simba and his handler Anton, which they loved!

"By meeting with FI, the girls are encouraged to pursue these fields, because they get to see what it's really like and hear about Steve and Lisa's first-hand experiences."

This partnership has run for two years and has become a highlight for students, providing them with a broader view of careers within London Fire Brigade and the scope of forensic science and engineering.