THE first female firefighter to join the former Somerset Fire Brigade has given her support to a call for more people to come forward to become retained firefighters at Nether Stowey.
Marion Evered, 94, who was an on-call firefighter from 1961 to 1982, visited the fire station last Friday to see how things had changed.
She carried out voluntary work before joining the brigade and remained a part of the team after her retirement, raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity by helping out at jumble sales and Christmas bingo.
Station manager Mike Porter said: “We were delighted to welcome Marion to the fire station for a tour and to meet the crew.
“I’m sure she will be an inspiration for other women and men to follow her footsteps and consider joining the service here at Nether Stowey.”
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is looking for people in the Nether Stowey community to be on-call or ‘retained’ firefighters, Monday to Sujnday, 6am to 6pm.
Prospective firefighters need to be aged over 18, have a good level of fitness and strength and live and/or work within five minutes response time to the fire station.
The station is hosting an open evening for prospective on-call firefighters on Thursday, November 12, starting at 7pm.
Anyone interested in joining the service should go to Nether Stowey Fire Station, in Bannesson Road, TA5 1NW, to find out more.
* Marion was married to former station commander Bob Evered and they used to live next door to Nether Stowey’s old fire station in Castle Street.