Newcastle Airport welcomes first female firefighters in historic milestone

Newcastle Airport has appointed its first female firefighters, marking a significant milestone for the airport’s rescue and firefighting service and highlighting the growing role of women across the emergency services.

Amy Ramsey, Alix Peoples and Lily Jackson have joined the service alongside fellow recruits Kevin Morland and Josh Evans. Based at the airport’s fire station next to the runway, they are now part of a team of more than 40 firefighters providing 24/7 emergency response cover to keep passengers, staff and airport operations safe.

Airport firefighters are trained to respond to a wide range of incidents, including aircraft emergencies, structural fires and medical emergencies. They also undertake regular training exercises and equipment checks to ensure they are ready to respond at any time.

The appointments of Amy, Alix and Lily mark the first time women have served in Newcastle Airport’s fire service since it was established.

“I always wanted to be a firefighter growing up, so becoming one of the first female firefighters at Newcastle Airport makes this role even more special. It’s an exciting career where no two days are the same, and I’m proud to be part of a team that helps keep everyone who travels through and works at the Airport safe.”

Lily Jackson, Firefighter, Newcastle Airport.

Their appointments reflect a wider drive across the emergency services to attract and retain more women in frontline operational roles. Through our #SheServesToo campaign, Emergency Services Times continues to champion the women working across the blue light community, sharing their stories, highlighting the challenges they face and inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in the sector.

The campaign is also supported by a growing network of #SheServesToo Ambassadors – women and allies from across policing, fire, ambulance, search and rescue and the wider emergency services community who are helping to amplify voices, share experiences and drive positive change across the sector. Find out more about becoming an ambassador or getting involved in the campaign here.

“Joining the Airport’s rescue and firefighting service is a fantastic opportunity and I’m excited to be part of such a skilled and supportive team where I can continue to learn and develop my skills.

“I hope our appointments encourage more women to consider careers in the fire service and show that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”

Alix Peoples, Firefighter, Newcastle Airport.

The recruitment comes as Newcastle Airport prepares for its busiest summer on record, following continued investment by its airline partners and a £60m programme to expand and modernise the airport’s facilities over the next two years.

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This article is part of #SheServesToo, our campaign celebrating the stories of women across the emergency services. #SheServesToo is proudly supported by PBI. Find out more about PBI and its work here. If you have a story to share, get in touch with the EST team.