Actress Kate Winslet has been invited to train with firefighters after her rescue of Richard Branson’s 90-year old mother from a fire last week which destroyed his luxury home on his private island.
London Fire Brigade, which has more than 300 women firefighters, is inviting the actress to learn how crews deal with fires and also about fire prevention. Ms Winslet would visit the brigade’s training centre, meet trainees and experience the role of a modern day firefighter. This would include operational duties such as trying out firefighter breathing apparatus and climbing a ladder pitched against a tower block.
Deputy assistant commissioner Dany Cotton, who is the highest operational woman firefighter in the country, said:
“Kate has shown true bravery and we would love her to visit the London Fire Brigade and see the work that real firefighters do at first hand. We’d remind Kate that having a working smoke alarm and an escape plan are extremely important in cutting the risk of dying or being injured in a fire.
“Kate has shown that women can carry out rescues just as well as men. I hope her actions will encourage more women to think about becoming a firefighter.”
Ms Winslet and her two young children, along with Sir Richard’s 29-year old daughter Holly, were among 20 people staying at the main house on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands when the fire broke out after a lightning strike. Sir Richard and other members of his family were staying in a nearby villa.
Writing on his blog, Sir Richard said:
“A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house. My son Sam and nephew Jack rushed to the house and helped get everyone out, and many thanks to Kate Winslet for helping to carry my 90-year old mum out of the main house to safety – she was wondering when a director was going to shout ‘Cut’!
“My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs and my note book, which is very sad. But all family and friends are well – which in the end is all that really matters.”
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