James Coomber Leadership

Spent the afternoon on site, rope gear on and learning from the real experts.

You don’t have to know it all to lead well. The key is recognising and trusting the subject matter experts around you, and helping them shine.

Huge respect to the teams who make these complex rescues look effortless 👏

Some days I really do have to pinch myself. It’s been a pleasure to be able to visit and facilitate some training to the wonderful team at The Sherborne in the South West of the UK.

A building originally from the 17th century has been restored to its former glory, along with some sensitive modern touches.

Well worth a visit if you are passing.

This is not ok!

Today, the Sun, The Daily Mail and other outlets published a deeply misleading article linking two completely separate cases involving former colleagues of mine: Simon’s recent story and Sasha Acheson’s employment tribunal win from 2023. These cases are being carelessly bundled together, and it’s harmful, unhelpful, and frankly, lazy journalism used for clickbait. See here:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/36003192/firefighter-word-fireman-sexism-woke/

Let me be clear on what I mean:

Sasha’s case was upheld by an employment tribunal. The full ruling is available below. She stood up against a culture that undermined her, and she won. That is not “woke.” That is justice.
https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions/ms-a-acheson-v-avon-fire-and-rescue-service-1400826-slash-2022-and-1402825-slash-2022

Simon’s case, from what I understand, involves disciplinary action for the use of the word “Fireman" in his company. I don’t know the full internal details, so I’ll withhold judgement. But I do question how this has escalated to senior management involvement and the national press. I’m curious to see how this process plays out fairly and transparently over the coming months.

I’ve worked alongside both Sasha and Simon during my 20 year career in the UK Fire and Rescue Service. I believe Sasha to be professional, capable, and above all else... Courageous! To see her dragged into a clickbait-fuelled narrative is disheartening.

But what really angers me?

The appalling online abuse directed at Sasha today.

🗣 “Like to see her carry a man out of a burning building.”
🗣 “Who is this stupid woman?”
🗣 “I despise women like this.”

And worse. Much worse. The kind of vile, cowardly commentary that only “keyboard commandos” dish out from the safety of their mobile phones.

Well, I won’t stay silent and I won't let comments like this go unchallenged.

Sasha is strong, courageous, and more than capable. I’d work alongside her again without hesitation. She embodies exactly what I would want and expect in a firefighter.

This kind of public pile-on only makes it harder for those who speak up about inequality. For those reading this, especially those working in male-dominated spaces, know this: you are not alone, and your voice matters.

My final points:

To the media: Do better.
To the trolls: Consider the damage you are doing to innocent people lives.
To Sasha: I see you. I respect you. I stand with you.

Hero firefighter disciplined for failing to call out use of word 'fireman' A HERO firefighter quit after being disciplined for failing to stop his staff saying “fireman”, a tribunal heard. Simon Bailey, 58, who had been commended for bravery, was given a final written war…