The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is hosting a series of 'Come and Try Days' over the coming weeks, specifically tailored for women interested in pursuing a career as a Wholetime Firefighter. The events are designed for individuals who are strong, fit, enthusiastic, and passionate about community safety.

The initiatives are being launched ahead of the main Wholetime Firefighter recruitment campaign in June 2026. Attendees will gain a hands-on introduction to the daily roles and responsibilities of a firefighter, learn about the requirements of the position, and speak directly with existing female firefighters about their professional experiences.

The initiative forms part of NIFRS's ongoing commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Over the past five years, the proportion of female Wholetime Firefighters within the service has risen from 4.97% to 9.56%.

The regional taster events will be hosted at the following locations:

• Crescent Link Fire Station (Derry/Londonderry) – Saturday 6 June

• Antrim Fire Station – Saturday 6 June

• Central Fire Station (Belfast) – Sunday 7 June and Saturday 13 June • Armagh Fire Station – Saturday 13 June

• Omagh Fire Station – Sunday 14 June

Participants must be aged 17 or over to attend. Each event location will offer two options: a morning session running from 10am to 12.30pm, or an afternoon session from 2pm to 4.30pm.

As places for the sessions are strictly limited, anyone interested in attending must register their interest and reserve a space by visiting the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service website.

NIFRS Station Commander Nicola McSherry said: "We're delighted to offer women across Northern Ireland the opportunity to attend one of our Come and Try Day's if they are considering Firefighting as a career. These events are about building confidence, breaking down misconceptions and giving women an opportunity to ask questions and find out what is actually involved, particularly in terms of strength and fitness.

"Modern firefighting is not only about responding to operational incidents; it's about engaging with our community, providing safety advice and helping prevent emergencies. I would encourage anyone interested to come along, meet our crews and find out more about a career in Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service."