Campaign launched to encourage more women to become firefighters

The Catalan government has launched a campaign aimed at getting more women to join the fire service. 

Women make up only 1.84% of professional firefighters and only 6.81% of volunteers, figures described as "frightening" by interior minister Miquel Buch. On a more positive note, between 2016 and 2019 applications to the fire service from women doubled from 4.64% to 8.36%.

The campaign is made of four posters and a short video showing male and female firefighters, and its aim is to "increase the representation and visibility of women in the fire service."

Deputy Inspector Mercè López said some women were led to believe they cannot be firefighters because of "a stereotypical image of firefighters, with preconceived ideas and values." López emphasized the importance of the campaign to "reverse the situation so that girls and adolescents consider this career."

"You need to try to awaken a vocation," Busch said. "The aim is to show that there are women who have passed the tests and who have succeeded in becoming firefighters." He also praised the work the fire service has already done in trying to encourage girls and women to join.

The Department of the Interior campaign is supported by the Catalan Women's Institute, the Vice-Presidency Department and the Education Department.