EFE 180FIRE is pleased to announce the shortlist for the inaugural Most Influential Woman in Fire award at the 2015 Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards.

Meeting after our FIRE Congress on Firefighter Safety our judging panel headed by Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Peter Holland felt the following nominees really stood out. Each of the nominees have made significant contributions to advance the work of the Fire and Rescue Service over the last 12 months.

The nominees are below with a brief biography and if you want to show your support for them and other nominees then email beverley.rees@pavpub.com to find out how you can become an Awards sponsor.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Executive Rebecca Bryant
Rebecca holds the most senior position within a Fire and Rescue Service as a woman who has progressed through the roles (ranks) of the Service. Outside of Staffordshire, Rebecca has also been instrumental and influential in developing the current Executive Leadership Programme.

BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme manager Hannah Mansell
Hannah became manager of the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme this year and is a driving force in passive fire protection, promoting the specification of third-party certificated fire doors and components that have been rigorously assessed and audited.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Danielle Cotton
AC Cotton joined the fire service in 1988, aged 18. She attained her first rank of promotion after serving 7 years as an operational firefighter. Since then she has gone on to become one of the highest ranking female firefighters in Europe and is a significant public figure in the sector of emergency services.

London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sabrina Cohen-Hatton
Arguably the most significant piece of work undertaken in NOG has been the refresh of the Incident Command guidance. An extremely vital member of the team undertaking this work was DAC Cohen-Hatton. With both operational command skills and experience, and uniquely a doctorate in psychology, she added a much needed academic and practical research element to the team.

Northamptonshire Fire’s Brigade Manager Dawn Whittaker
Dawn joined Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service as a direct entrant in 2004. As a direct entrant, Dawn embarked on an operational development programme, subject to rigorous independent assessment, to become the first female direct entrant to achieve operational competence at both silver and strategic gold command levels.

See the rest of the shortlists here and celebrate the Service's best innovation and collaboration by booking your place at One Great George Street on 4 December at www.fire-magazine.com/fire-event/efe-awards-2015/