Learning Objectives: To know what makes cities safer from great fires today To understand that men and women have to pass the same tests to become fire fighters To sequence a story in chronological order

At the time of the Great Fire of London there was no organised fire brigade. Firefighting was very basic and there was little skill or knowledge involved. They used leather buckets, axes and water squirts which had little effect on the fire. copyright - LFB/LFEPA 2011

After the Great Fire of London, cities decided to have fire fighters! Copyright Corbis Images

Women were first asked to join the fire service during World War 2. Most men had joined the army so women were needed. Women did not fight fires at first. Instead they were asked to be fire watchers and drivers, they managed the communications network and worked in mobile canteen vans. copyright - LFB/LFEPA 2011

Penny from Fireman Sam Today there are many women working as fire fighters. They do exactly the same jobs as men. fire.gov.uk/WomenInThe Brigade.asp

A slave named Molly Williams was the first known female firefighter (1818) in the United States. Little is known about her life, but female firefighters know her heroic story. She inspired other women to join the fire service. She was said to be "as good a fire laddie as many of the boys”. Molly Williams

Men and women who want to become fire fighters in Britain have to pass the same physical test. Ladder Climb Casualty evacuation Ladder lifting and lowering Enclosed space Equipment assembly Equipment carry