Responding when We are called

Responding when we are called or 50 Years of Women in the Fire Service... My story began in the summer of 1976. Like the summer of 2026, it was exceptionally hot and Britain was experiencing severe drought conditions. The Fire Service was under enormous pressure, with grass and countryside fires breaking out everywhere. Sr Mary Joy Langdoon tells us.

One morning, our local newspaper arrived and was lying on the breakfast table. My parents and I read the headline: “Battle Fire Station needs more firefighters.” In response to that simple appeal, I went to the fire station, knocked on the door and announced that I had come to join the Fire Service! I still remember the look of surprise on the faces of the two firefighters who greeted me.

I had absolutely no idea that there were no women operational firefighters in the modern British Fire Service, nor that this simple decision would lead to me becoming Britain’s first female firefighter.

And Fifty years later ?

2026 has provided several opportunities to remember that beginning and to celebrate service and

encourage a new generation.

In April, my book, 'A Journey of Service', was launched. It tells of the circumstances that led me to the Fire Service, my experiences as a firefighter and how the knowledge and skills I acquired have continued to be useful throughout my life. The profits from the book are being given to the Fire Cadet programme, with which I have been involved for several years.

On 22 August, the 50th anniversary was celebrated at Battle Fire Station. The Chief Fire Officer attended, together with retired and serving women firefighters, Fire Cadets, friends and supporters.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled and a special Women in the Fire Service Scroll was opened for women firefighters to record their names, brigades and dates of service. The scroll will travel around the country, enabling many more serving and retired women firefighters to add their names.

The Fire Cadets played an important part in the day, and I undertook a sponsored abseil from the station’s training tower to raise funds for the cadets. It was great fun, with magnificent views across the beautiful rural countryside surrounding Battle and towards Beachy Head.

Later, we attended a civic reception at the historic Battle Almonry, where a specially commissioned ceramic vase depicting me as a young firefighter was displayed.

Together with other Infant Jesus sisters, and friends who had travelled from London, we visited Battle Abbey and the site of the Battle of Hastings 1066. Finally, we gathered for Mass at the Catholic church.

The parish priest had invited me to give the homily. The Gospel, Matthew 16:13–20, asks:

“Who do you say I am?” It seemed a wonderfully appropriate conclusion to the anniversary.

Answer all calls

In 1976, I responded to a newspaper appeal asking for firefighters. I could never have imagined where that response would lead. Years later came another call—to religious life as an Infant Jesus Sister and to service in a different way.

God rarely shows us the whole journey. We are simply asked to recognise the call before us and have the courage to take the next step. Our answer to Christ’s question, “Who do you say I am?” is not simply something we answer with words, but with our lives.

May we recognise Christ in those who need us.May we have the courage to respond when we are called. And may we proclaim with Peter:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

                                                                             Sr Mary Joy Langdon (September 2026)