Thursday 25 May 2006 - 09.00hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is delighted to announce Debra
Searle MBE as the after dinner speaker for this year’s FireFit
Conference on 28 and 29 June in Bristol.
Picture courtesy of Chris Brandis (Debra rowing)
Debra first hit the headlines when at 27 years of age she rowed
across the Atlantic single-handed in a 23-foot plywood boat after
her former husband and rowing partner was forced to drop out. The
Times heralded her, ‘Britain's latest sporting heroine’, after she
completed the 3,000 mile journey, during which she took on 30 foot
waves and force 8 squalls, not to mention the sharks and odd tanker
coming too close for comfort.
Despite having to deal with gruelling physical and mental
hardship for 111 days Debra focused on one motto to keep her going:
‘Choose your attitude’.
At the age of 30, Debra has achieved more than most people would
dream of achieving in a lifetime, from winning European
championship medals with the Great Britain Dragon Boat Team to
being a published author and television presenter. She also finds
time in her hectic schedule to undertake the role of a director for
the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, for which she is only female
and youngest member.
Debra is one of the most sought after speakers on the circuit.
She is an incredibly natural communicator who will share her highs
and lows, personal battles and victories to illustrate what we are
all capable of. You can be assured that you will leave inspired,
taking away some practical tools that can be applied to your own
life.
As after dinner speaker, Debra will conclude the first day of
this year’s FireFit Conference, which will address many of the
issues fire and rescue services face regarding fitness, health and
welfare.
Entitled ‘Managing Attendance - The Physical and Psychosocial
Challenge’, the topics covered by speakers, addressed at workshops
and illustrated by case studies will include attendance strategies,
management processes, behaviour change, motivational interviewing,
sports massage and fitness testing as well as Neuro-Linguistic
Programming techniques.
How to book
FireFit’s 2006 conference is being hosted by Avon Fire & Rescue
Service at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, College Green on
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June 2006. Various delegate packages
are available, which include the opportunity to enjoy a
three-course evening meal and hearing from Debra Searle MBE.
For a booking form and a full conference agenda, please visit
www.avonfire.gov.uk or
call 0117 926 2061.
For more information on Debra Searle visit www.debrasearle.com
About FireFit
FireFit is the steering group for promoting health and fitness in
the UK’s fire and rescue services. The group’s objectives include
developing and promoting good practice in fitness related issues
and to provide a central resource for protocols, policies and
reports for use by all fire and rescue
services.