'Silver Axe' to first woman (From Witney Gazette)

'Silver Axe' to first woman

12:49pm Friday 26th January 2007

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A WITNEY firefighter has been given an award for excelling on a 11-week trainee firefighters course.

Katherine Smith is the first woman in Oxfordshire to have received Silver Axe award.

She had to succeed in various physical, written, and practical tests and then a final interview, before she knew whether she had made it on to the Fire and Rescue Collaboration training course, which took place at the Fire Training College in Moreton-in-Marsh.

There were 19 trainees on the course from across the country, with just two of them being women.

Ms Smith said: "It was a residential course, and 11 weeks is a very long time to be away from your home and family. But it was amazing, and I learnt such a lot, not only the basics in firefighting, but I also about myself and other people.

"Although the Fire and Rescue Service is a male-dominated profession, it's great for women too, and I would encourage other women to give it a go."

County councillor Ray Jelf, who is member for community safety, presented the Silver Axe to her at the training college.

He said: "This award is presented to the student who has consistently shown the highest all-round achievement throughout the course.

"Students need to show determination, enthusiasm, adaptability, application, and team spirit. I'm delighted that Katherine excelled in all these areas."

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