Michelle has worked for the fire and rescue services since 2007, starting as an On-Call firefighter within a different service, whilst her main role was in primary education, teaching years one to six.
After a short while working On-Call, she realised she was very passionate about the work of the service, and looked to get involved in different areas of work. Michelle worked within the community safety team, liaising with stakeholders such as housing, environment agency and trading standards. She also took responsibility for managing and supporting the station’s Fire Cadet Unit. She was later promoted, managing a busy On-Call fire station with a boat and two fire engines. In 2017 Michelle applied to be Wholetime, starting as a firefighter, then Crew Commander and Watch Commander, transferring to Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Operational Policy Department in 2019. In this role she worked on widescale flooding, debriefs, health and safety, National Operational Guidance and Intel, and supported senior leaders with business continuity through the Covid pandemic.
In 2022 Michelle took up the role as Station Commander for South Herefordshire, supporting six On-Call fire stations, with day-to-day activities, skills, succession planning, mentoring and coaching. In 2024 Michelle transferred to Station Commander for Worcester Fire Station, developing different skills within a wholetime station with a city aspect and the multi-agency approach to keeping the community safe with local councils and safety advisory groups. Michelle is currently the Station Commander for Operational Policy and Assurance, where she is working on a more strategic approach, rather than people management. She currently oversees Health and Safety, Debriefs and Assurance, Local Service Procedures, Emergency Planning, Operational Learning, National Operational Guidance adoption and Fire Standards. Michelle responds to larger, more complex incidents in her service car to provide a greater degree of command and control.
“There are many Station Commander avenues that you can take in order to develop your skills. I like to be busy and challenged, as well as constantly developing. My current role allows me to expand my skills and knowledge whilst learning and developing.”
Michelle gained her CMI level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management in 2023, and then undertook research towards a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), specialising in public service motivation. This was made possible through the Service’s personal development pathway. “Research towards my MBA has been extremely useful to see how we, as an organisation, can motivate and develop our staff in a positive way. I would like to continue research and work towards a PhD over the next few years.”
Michelle is a Hazardous Materials Advisor, and responds to incidents involving hazardous materials to support crews to resolve incidents safely. She is currently undertaking a Level 4 fire safety qualification, in order to audit premises to ensure compliance.
“I am the Chair of Women@HWFire. My role involves engaging with our female workforce, and male allies, to look at how we can improve experiences for staff as well as providing informal opportunities for coaching, mentoring and signposting.”
Michelle has two children, and her family life has always fitted in well with a wholetime firefighter career, with the support of family and childcare.
“I enjoy being part of an organisation that values and supports you, whilst empowering you to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be. I also enjoy helping other people, whether that’s supporting our community during incidents, prevention and protection activities, the teams we work with, or through policies and guidance that I am responsible for. It is important for me to be able to make a difference.”
Michelle’s Involvement with Staff Networks
Find out about Michelle’s experience with the Service’s Staff Networks such as Women @ HW Fire and the Neurodiversity Staff Network.
Michelle’s Learning and Development
Find out about how the Service has funded and supported Michelle’s development through her Master’s Degree, whilst supporting continuous development.