Firefighters of the Second World War

During the Second World War there were many misfortunes, but we have to highlight the work done by the fire services, especially the women firefighters who fought against the fire.

The Auxiliary Fire Service

At the end of the 1930s, the political climate began to change for the worse in Europe and, as a consequence, an incredible number of voluntaries started to train to be part of the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS). The AFS was formed in January 1938, and the government used schools, garages and factories as fire stations.

In the 1930s it was unthinkable for women to work as firemen, but most of the young men joined the army. More than 28,000 volunteer firefighters were needed. So, in addition to accepting old men or teenagers, the Brigade had to accept women for the first time.

Did women fight fires in WWII?

Women trained with men, but they did not fight fires in the Second World War. They had to patrol the city, drive the fire engines and manage communication networks. The Brigade recognized the service that women had given to their country and their courage and they received awards for their remarkable achievements.

By 1943 over 70,000 women had enrolled in the NFS in the United Kingdom.

What equipment did the AFS use?

The AFS firefighters wore abasic uniform:

· A steel helmet

· Rubber boots

· Trousers

· Waterproof leggings

Many women wore male uniforms because there were no uniforms for all of them. The most common piece of equipment used by the AFS was the towing pump. At the beginning, the pumps were towed by taxis.

The Blitz – 57 nights of bombing

On 7th December 1940, the first air raid in London took place and from that moment the bombing began. London was bombed for 57 nights in a row. For many women it was their first experience as firefighters.

The German army bombed most of the time at night, so the firefighters had to spend many hours at night fighting the fire in the middle of the bombing. The bombings in the factories were especially dangerous because there were many inflammable products such as alcohol or paint.

In the first 22 nights of air strikes, firefighters battled nearly 10,000 fires.

The Massey Shaw – Dunkirk hero

In 1935 the Brigade built a ship that became famous around the world. It had the name of the first Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Department, Massey Shaw.

This ship was controlled by volunteers, both men and women, and they helped the British troops on the beaches in Dunkirk. The Massey Shaw travelled three times in very important and dangerous trips and rescued more than 500 soldiers.

Birth of the National Fire Service

When the war ended the 2^ndof September of 1945, firefighters had answered more than 50,000 calls in London. However, like in the front, 327 firefighters, men and women, died.