A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service fire safety manager is nearing the end of a second polar expedition in northern Sweden, supporting a cold-weather leadership programme for Fire Cadets from across the UK.
Daisy Byron, one of the service’s Fire Safety Managers, is on her penultimate day with the Fire Angels Leadership Foundation (FALF) team, after four days helping cadets take part in an intensive programme designed to build practical skills, teamwork and resilience in sub-zero conditions.
This year’s cohort includes cadets from Bedfordshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Mid and West Wales, and South Wales. Bedfordshire is represented by Maisie, who has been taking part in the expedition.
Training and preparation
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said Ms Byron spent months helping prepare the group, including three intensive UK training weekends alongside the wider FALF team.
The training covered practical preparation for polar conditions, including:
- Pitching expedition tents
- managing cold-weather nutrition
- Safe stove operation
- Ice awareness
- Physical conditioning, including tyre pulling to simulate hauling pulks across snow and ice
The programme also focuses on leadership confidence, mental resilience and supporting teammates in demanding environments.
–19°C
Ms Byron said the group has been sleeping in temperatures down to –19°C and spent three days in the Swedish wilderness, travelling across frozen lakes and snow.
She added, “I have loved every minute and couldn’t be prouder to have accompanied and worked with an amazing FALF team, supporting seven female Fire Cadets from all over the country as they got a real taste of what an extreme cold weather expedition is like.
“We’ve slept in temperatures down to –19°C, spent three days out in the Swedish wilderness, and pulled pulks through untouched snow across frozen lakes with ice over a metre thick.
“Maisie, our Cadet from Bedfordshire, has embodied the spirit of the programme, stepping up to support others, tackling the physical demands with real determination, and taking responsibility for safety routines, navigation and kit management in sub-zero conditions.
“I can’t wait for next year,” she said.
