14-05-2025
Suffolk's first full-time female firefighter bows out after 30 years
Suffolk's first ever full-time female firefighter is retiring after three decades of serving the county and crashing through glass ceilings along the way.
'Trust in your ability to lead' – these are the words of Sally Hammond, who is extinguishing her final flames today after three decades serving the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
'I have thoroughly enjoyed working for the fire and rescue service and feel honoured to have served the people of Suffolk,' said Ms Hammond.
'I will be leaving with my head held high, knowing I've achieved what I set out to in my career.'
Sally Hammond pictured when she entered the service in 1994. (Image: Suffolk County Council)
Ms Hammond, who is the group manager and head of protection for SFRS, became the service's first ever full-time female firefighter when she joined the force in 1995.
However, she has been making strides on behalf of women everywhere for far longer.
In 1994, she became the first woman in the Institution of Fire Engineers' history to receive the Godiva award for the top UK candidate in the graduates' examination.
She was also a founding member of Suffolk Women in Fire Together (SWIFT), a network open to all members of SFRS who are interested in supporting their female colleagues.
Ms Hammond was also the service's women's representative for the Fire Brigade Union.
More recently in 2022, she became one of only five firefighting personnel in England and Wales to have been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service in the New Year's Honours – an achievement she regards as her proudest moment.
Sally Hammond pictured in 2022, when she became one of only five firefighting personnel in England and Wales to have been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service in the New Year's Honours. (Image: Suffolk County Council)
Sally pictured with her two sons. (Image: Suffolk County Council)
Sally encouraged other women considering entering the service to believe in their abilities. (Image: Suffolk County Council)
'Having more women across all areas of the Service, especially in middle and senior management, helps ensure our policies and procedures support fairness and equity across the workforce,' said Ms Hammond.
'This helps create a stronger, more inclusive organisation for everyone.
'To the women already in the service, and those considering joining, my message is this - take the opportunities when they come; invest in your development, go for promotion, and trust in your ability to lead.'
After 30 years of putting out fires around Suffolk, Ms Hammond has decided that it is finally time to retire.
Her colleagues said that she will certainly be missed.
SFRS' Chief Fire Officer, Jon Lacey, said: 'Sally is a highly respected and extremely capable firefighter with a real passion for the job and a steadfast dedication towards the wellbeing of others, which is not only reflected in her career choice but in her many fundraising endeavours.
'She will be greatly missed across the service, but we wish her every happiness as she enters retirement – although knowing Sally, I'm very doubtful it will involve much down time!'
In addition to her role as a firefighter, Ms Hammond regularly plays the saxophone as a member of the Ipswich Hospital Band to raise money for numerous health-related charities and has been instrumental in a range of fundraising efforts throughout her career with SFRS.
Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Protection, also offered Ms Hammond his congratulations.
He said: 'I extend my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Sally as she retires. She has proactively supported women in the Service and in doing so, has unwittingly become a role model for many younger females within SFRS.
'I wish her many years of happiness following an exemplary and inspiring career.'
Ms Hammond will be taking the whole of the summer off to spend quality time with her family. In the future, she hopes to work in a supportive role with underrepresented groups in the community - preferably in the workplace, so she can make use of the skills and experience she has gained throughout her career with SFRS.
