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Auxiliary Fire Service gas mask training, WW2
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Auxiliary Fire Service gas mask training, WW2
Women of the Auxiliary Fire Service undergoing gas mask training during the Second World War. Date: 1940
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Media ID 14118584
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library
Apparatus Auxiliary Breathing Instruction Instructor Mask Masks Practice Practising Trainer Firefighter Firefighters Firefighting
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a group of brave women of the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) undergoing gas mask training during World War II in London, 1940. The Second World War brought about unprecedented challenges for firefighting services, with the threat of gas attacks looming large. In response, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) established the Auxiliary Fire Service, which recruited women to support the war effort and help protect the city. In this image, the women are seen wearing protective clothing and gas masks, as they receive instruction from their trainer. The instructor, also wearing a mask, demonstrates the correct way to put on and adjust the mask, ensuring a tight seal to protect against poisonous gases. The women practice this skill diligently, their determined expressions reflecting their commitment to their role as firefighters. The AFS women played a crucial role in the war effort, manning fire stations, driving fire engines, and carrying out rescue operations. They were often the first responders to incidents, and their bravery and dedication were instrumental in saving countless lives. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the vital contributions made by women during wartime and the essential role of firefighting services in protecting communities, even in the most challenging of circumstances. The Auxiliary Fire Service was disbanded in 1948, but its legacy lives on, inspiring future generations of firefighters and demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit in times of crisis.
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