Daisy Byron, an Area Fire Safety Manager for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) has been named ‘Bright Light Award’ winner in the Women in the Fire Service Awards 2023.
Daisy, who joined BFRS in 2019, was nominated twice in the WFS Award’s ‘Bright Light’ category for her remarkable contributions to the fire and rescue service.
The ‘Bright Light’ category recognises individuals who have made a notable contribution in supporting the aims of Women in the Fire Service (WFS) and led the way in their role in the service, acting as a shining example to others through recruitment, retention or progression of women or enabled women to develop through access to opportunities and resources.
Daisy has been a WFS Regional Rep since June 2022, organising a number of WFS regional events including camping, walks and picnics to help build community networks and celebrate women in the fire and rescue service. In April this year, she will lead a WFS hike to the top of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.
Commenting on the award, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Alison Kibblewhite said, “On behalf of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service we are hugely proud of Daisy and she richly deserves the award. She’s a real credit to our service and such a great person to be around. I know she inspires and helps others on a daily basis while being very humble about it. Huge congratulations to her.”
Thanking her colleagues for the nomination, Daisy added, “Winning this award was a real surprise. Becoming the WFS Rep was an off the cuff, shoot from the hip comment last year that has taken off brilliantly.”
Women in the Fire Service UK is a not-for-profit organisation who work together with its corporate members and offer support and advice to all fire and rescue service to advance equality in the sector.
Emergency Services Times sponsored the Bright Light Award category. Editor Catherine Levin said, “We are delighted that Daisy has won the Bright Light Award. Her enthusiasm is inspiring – it should make us all want to walk up Mount Snowdon too. Volunteers are the lifeblood of organisations like Women in the Fire Service and the efforts Daisy has made to engage members are impressive. Bright Lights bring others with them and while that may not always involve hiking up mountains, the fact that others wanted to share her experience demonstrates the depth of the impact she is having.”
The ‘Bright Light Award’ winner is invited to attend a special Award Ceremony at The Fire Service College to be bestowed with congratulations and prizes.
Photo credit: Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
