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I was hailed as the first ever female fire-fighter in Britain. In the spring of 1982, as a 17-year-old was accepted to join the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.
Free spirited and adventurous I was drawn to explore, leaving behind a promising fire service career to join expeditions in South America and S.E Asia; found The Silk Road Design Co with a Trading Company in Southern China, packed up and moved to the island of Koh Samui, Thailand in 2006.
Traveling constantly I was exposed to huge inequalities, relocating to Cambodia to help a locally run NGO. Heading out on one of the first planes into the Philippines after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit, I stayed a month here, publishing articles. As Nepal’s 2015 earthquake struck I was commissioned to write for UN Women (SE Asia)
I have travelled full circle to write a memoir, Fire Woman, and am regularly in the media, and provided expert opinion for the BBC reacting to incidents such as the catastrophic fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower.
About Their Talks...
I embrace my role as a diversity role model, Whether it’s a management development weekend, school careers day, a celebration of women’s achievements, or fire brigades around the world, this is where I have the most fun, connecting and inspiring her audience, keeping it real and changing culture along the way.
Speaker review
Beagle Aircraft Management Development Weekend – Focus on Teamwork
“Wow an amazing lady, listening and talking to jo you can’t help but feel inspired by the determination, spirit and can do attitude. A truly amazing story, inspiring!
It just shows what you can achieve with people who you trust and teamwork.
An absolute role model, reading the book made me connect with the story even more.
An inspiration to us all, thank you for sharing your journey.”
Speaker review North Norfolk U3a
“Jo Reynolds entertained and enlightened members of North Norfolk U3a at our first live monthly talk in January 2022, with her experiences as a firefighter in Norfolk Fire Service, told with a lively and self effacing humour. We learned what it was like for her at the age of 17 to be the first woman in a firmly male environment, how she overcame the initial scepticism and mistrust, and about the dedication and camaraderie amongst firefighters that she grew to relish. Jo told us about her fascinating journeys through several different parts of the world and several different successful careers, after leaving the fire service. Jo’s experiences showed what can be achieved with self-belief, passion and energy, and never taking oneself too seriously. It was a super, uplifting talk for a January morning”
Speaker review – Hewett Academy
“Highlight of the day was meeting @FireWomanJo1 and chatting about how she can help
@HewettAcademy with our careers education programme. Never met anybody with such an inspirational story yet so humble! Very excited about our future events.” #QuashingStereotypes” #mentoring
Josephine was honoured as a trailblazer and recognised as one of the women changing history by BBC Radio 5 during their #5livefirsthundredwomen campaign. She also regularly provides “expert opinion” for the BBC reacting to incidents such as the catastrophic fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower.
Voted one of EDP Norfolk’s 100 most Inspiring Women 2020 .
Speaking topics include: Inspiration, Organisational Culture, Equality, Gender & Inclusion, The Importance of good teamwork, Creating Change.
Fee:
Corporate and fire brigades £250-£3000
Schools, charity, social organisations and clubs £80-£150*
*I am flexible about rates based on ability to pay, please let’s chat about meeting your needs from the speaker
