Station Manager Becky Brown.
There were gasps of surprise from the pupils gathered for the school assembly when Becky Brown turned to face them while wearing full fire kit.
The Spennymoor mam was at her daughter’s school to deliver a bonfire safety talk and used the dramatic entrance to show the youngsters that being a firefighter wasn’t just a man’s job.
Seeing the pride in the faces of her daughters, Sophie, 13, and Emily, 9, that day remains one of the standout moments of the Station Manager’s 21-year career with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS).
“I felt like I inspired every single girl in that assembly,” Becky said.
“Tell me another job where you get to go into your daughters’ school and they can see you at work.
“It was brilliant and a really lovely moment.
“Inspiring the next generation is what it’s all about.”
Becky is no stranger to being a trailblazer during her time in the Service.
Not only did Becky become the youngest Station Manager at CDDFRS when she was first appointed as Assurance Manager – the 39-year-old is now the most senior female operational firefighter in County Durham.
Reflecting on her career this International Women’s Day (March 8), Becky said: “I think having that female representation is so important.
“I am in the unique position to be able to help other women and girls to see that they are good enough to do this job if they want to.
“I want to tell them to put themselves out there and not be afraid because it is such a rewarding career.
“If you want to be a firefighter, absolutely go for it as you don’t know what you can achieve until you try.
“You can do so much good as a firefighter - whether it’s at incidents or going into schools and inspiring the next generation.”
Becky’s dad, Iain Davison, who was a Divisional Officer at Darlington, was her inspiration for joining the fire service.
She grew up attending service events, including open days, fire engine rallies and charity car washes, and told her dad that she planned to follow in his footsteps before he sadly died aged 45.
Becky started out as an on-call firefighter in Spennymoor in March 2004 aged 18 and then spent time working in the CDDFRS Control Room answering emergency calls.
Her opportunity to become a wholetime firefighter came two years later when she was selected as the only woman on a recruit’s course with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), passing out as a firefighter aged 21.
Becky was initially based at Rainton Bridge Fire Station before she transferred to CDDFRS and started work at Newton Aycliffe Fire Station on Blue Watch.
Becky then joined Spennymoor Day Crew and was later promoted to Crew Manager on Darlington White Watch after having her first daughter, Sophie.
Becky also spent eight years working as an Associate Trainer in the Service where she gained her instructor qualifications.
“I always wanted to be in Training because my dad was in charge of Training and I was fascinated by it growing up,” Becky said.
"I always said to him that I would love to have his job and that is exactly what I am doing now.”
After stints at Peterlee and Seaham Fire Stations, Becky was promoted to Watch Manager and joined Consett and High Handenhold Fire Station after having her second daughter, Emily.
Becky went onto become Station Manager of Assurance but took a step back to Watch Manager at Spennymoor to focus on her family after her husband, Dominic Brown, tragically passed away with brain cancer aged 49 in 2021.
In 2024 Becky was promoted to Station Manager, where she is the Training Delivery Manager responsible for the instructors; the content and the number of courses that the Service runs; and implementing new ways of working.
Becky also runs the National Breathing Apparatus (BA) Competition and said being selected along with three others from across the UK is something that remains one of her proudest achievements.
Last year, Becky received her 20 years of service medal and brought her children along to see the milestone moment.
“Seeing the way they were clapping when I got my medal…moments like that make it all worth it,” Becky said.
Becky, who is currently studying for a Level 7 Senior Apprenticeship Master’s in Business Administration at Teesside University, said she is really grateful to have such an influential role in the Service and stressed that it’s something she never takes for granted.
“I am doing it for my girls,” she said.
“I am showing them every day that you can be a mam but still have this really rewarding job and at a good level.
“They ask about the jobs I have done and it is nice telling them and seeing how interested they are.
“As they get older, I am seeing more than ever how important it is for them to have a good role model and that’s down to me.”
Outside of work, Becky enjoys spending time with her family, including her son, Ewan, and partner, Paul.
