In an emergency always call 999

Fleur Lombard Bursary

Following Fleur's tragic death a trust fund was set up as a fitting tribute to her bravery, courage, dedication, and professionalism. 

Update regarding bursary applications

The bursary application form has been updated.
Applications will close on 30 September 2025 and a decision will be made on 1 November 2025.

About Fleur Lombard QGM (1974 – 1996)

Firefighter Fleur Lombard QGM lost her life in a supermarket fire in Staple Hill, she was the first female firefighter to die in peacetime Britain.

On Sunday 4 February, 1996, fire crews were called to a fire at the Leos supermarket in Staple Hill, Bristol. Fleur, who was serving at Speedwell Fire Station at the time, was inside the building when she lost her life while tackling the fire.

Fleur was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal and Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation in recognition of her bravery. Two of her colleagues who were with her that day were also awarded the George Medal and the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

The memories of Fleur remain close to the hearts of those in Avon and a memorial stands to commemorate her life near the site of the fire in Staple Hill. Fleur’s ashes were interred at St Enodoc Church in Trebetherick, Cornwall, which overlooks Daymer Bay – a cherished area where the family used to visit and have picnics.

On graduating in 1994, Fleur received the Silver Axe Award, for most outstanding recruit on her training school.

Every year, Avon Fire & Rescue Service marks her passing on the anniversary of her death to ensure she is never forgotten.

The Fleur Lombard Bursary

Following Fleur’s tragic death, a trust fund was set up as a fitting tribute to her bravery, courage, dedication, and professionalism. The charity, funded entirely by public donations, was established by her family and the then Chief Fire Officer as permanent tribute to her dedication, courage and professionalism. The objective of the charity is to advance the education of junior members of the fire and rescue service by the grant of bursaries to enable them to travel and study fire and rescue service-related issues at fire service elsewhere in the UK, Europe or Worldwide.

Funding is available for operational and support staff, from any fire and rescue service in the UK, provided they meet the aims of the fund.

Download the application form (word doc)

You can apply for funding from the bursary as a junior member of any UK fire and rescue service, this is defined as rank up to and including Watch Manager or Hay 6. Overseas applicants are not eligible.

You must complete the application form on this page and email it to the team at: [email protected] by the deadline.

Annual application deadline: September 30.

Decision announced: November.

Trustees award up to two bursaries per year.

Successful applicants receive a bursary letter, which must be signed before booking travel.

If your application is unsuccessful:

You can apply the following year with an updated proposal.

If your application is approved:

Once approved, you are welcome to book your leave and travel. Submit receipts for reimbursement before or after your trip.

The object of the charity is to advance the education of junior members of the fire and rescue services to receive funding to travel and study fire and rescue-service related issues at other fire and rescue services elsewhere in the UK, in Europe or Worldwide.

The bursary is aimed at self-directed study, and therefore in view of the limited resources available within the fund, the Trustees will not award bursaries where alternative sources of funding are available.

To apply, please complete the application form: Download the form here.

To apply, you must be:

  • To be a junior member of the fire and rescue service – defined as up to and including level of Watch Manager or Hay 6 or equivalent.
  • To meet one or more of the charitable objectives, also explained on this page.
  • A written proposal which demonstrates a benefit to your career, service, local community and/or UK fire service or the community at large.
  • The proposal must include costings and where appropriate, show personal contribution of the applicant.
  • An appropriate mentor from your local fire and rescue service.
  • Confirmation of support from your Chief Fire Officer/Director.

Once the application form is completed, email the completed form to the team.

Applications should aim to demonstrate at least one or more of the following charitable objectives:

  • Reduce fires
  • Reduce death and injury by fire
  • Prevent damage to property and environment by fire
  • Reduce the risk of death or injury to firefighters
  • Offer career development stemming from the study

The bursary covers up to £2,000 per applicant. The application must include a breakdown of the costs associated with the proposal and, where possible, evidence that costs have been kept to a minimum by utilising accommodation available from the host service.

You must provide copies of receipts for all expenditure incurred.

If your trip exceeds this amount, you’ll need additional funding. Some costs may be covered by your fire and rescue service (for example, subsistence allowances).

After completion of the study, you must submit a report to the Trustees, and deliver a presentation to the Trustees at the next available meeting to provide an overview of the project and what you have learnt.

Your report should summarise your research, trip experiences, and key lessons. Keep is concise, include photos and write it as quickly as possible after your return, while your thoughts and lessons are fresh.

You will give a short presentation, about 20 minutes, to Trustees, either in person or virtually.

You are also expected to engage with Avon Fire & Rescue Service Corporate Communications Team by participating in an interview to help publicise the bursary.

To take advantage of the bursary, you must have a senior mentor within your local fire and rescue service.

A mentor is someone who can offer advice on your application, report writing, and presentation. This should be someone accessible, like your line manager or a senior colleague.

If you have any further questions about the bursary, please email: [email protected]

California and Stanford University

2025

A study into the use of Electronic Nose Sensors and Technology for Fire Prevention, Protection and Response to Wildfires.

New South Wales, Australia

2025

A study to implement effective evidence-based practices in the design, delivery and monitoring of fire safety education programmes in schools.

New South Wales, Australia

2024

A study into fire service prevention, protection and response to lithium-ion battery related fires.

Vancouver Island, Canada

2024

Building Resilience: A study into reducing injury to firefighters through behavioural wellness initiatives.

Cape Town Fire Service, South Africa Fire Service

2023

A study into water rescue capability and to meet staff involved in training and response to rescues to gain an insight into their rescue equipment, PPE, training and safety campaigns.

Swedish Fire Service

2019

A study into firefighter fatalities and near miss incidents in Sweden followed by research to identify practical feasibility for the setup of a working exchange partnership between RTOG and AFRS.

Bureau of Fire Investigations of Databasing (a division of New York Fire Department)

2018

A study the Juvenile Fire-Setters Intervention Program and how these skills can be transferred to Avon Fire & Rescue Service.

Los Angeles Fire Department

2018

A study of the Impact on Staff of the Provision of Emergency Medical Services by the Fire Service

New York Fire Department

2017

A study of Bariatric Rescue Techniques in the USA.

Chicago Fire Department

2016

A study of tactical ventilation methods during firefighting operations and the changing role of the fire service with regards to emergency medical support.

New Zealand Fire Service

2016

The Firefighter Safety Database Project Phase 2 Research

Hong Kong Fire Service

2015

Study Fire Safety Ambassador Scheme.

New Zealand Fire Service

2015

Volunteering with the New Zealand Fire Service Fire Wise School education programme. Visit to Communications Centre, Christchurch.

Toronto Fire Service

2014

Observe the workings of the Toronto Fire Service.

Western Australia Fire and Rescue Service / Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Perth

2014

Observe practices, training and education systems relating to Wildfire and Specialist Rescue operations.

San Ramon Valley and Contra Costa Fire Departments, California

2014

Researching the benefits of mobile application technology.

New York Fire Department

2013

Observe the way that NYFD support both operational and support staff who have Dyslexia; and their work with juvenile firesetters and how they carry out interventions.

Felton Fire Department

2011

Undertaking training and developing a partnership with the Large Animal Rescue Company, part of the FFD; comparing their procedures and training methods with those of Avon’s; and developing contacts between Avon and other Services in America.  The aim is to provide a sustainable opportunity to share knowledge and experience relating to both operational response and the provision of training.

New South Wales Fire Brigade

2010

An international comparison to further improve the safety of firefighters in the UK.

Los Angeles Fire Department

2009

Learning more about the different approaches to youth education and how they could be used in this country.

Also in this section

Page last updated