Brussels recruits first fire-women

9 March 2004

BRUSSELS – The Brussels fire service on Tuesday announced that it has recruited its first ever female fire fighters.

The two women, Sabine Bombaert, 32, and 34-year-old Ingrid Peeters will carry out their basic training at Brussels’ newly opened fire-fighting school.

Since 2001, the Brussels fire department has hired 247 new fire-fighters, and 92 of these recruits are due to finish their training and begin work before the summer.

But many safety experts say that despite the new recruitment drive, the city’s the fire service is still under staffed.

Last month the caprital’s governor warned Brussels would not be able to cope in the event of a major disaster.

Subject: Belgian news