Ex-England Star Joins Fire Service

0:00On April 10th, a former England soccer star is stepping up to a big new role as Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Michelle Hickmont, who played left-back for the Lionesses, got the nod after serving as their assistant chief since 2022. She brings two decades of fire service know-how, from Stinson Warwickshire and London Fire Brigade to teaching at the Fire Service College. Before that, she balled out for clubs like Birmingham City in Fulham from 2003 to 2011, even capping for England in a four-to-one win over Finland back in 2009. Leaders are hyped about her hire. Current Deputy Glenn Luzny, who's moving up to chief, says she's got the skills to make the service stronger. Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams agrees, praising her track record for modernizing operations and keeping community safe. Hickmont Stepsend come June, right after chief Rob Barber retires, and Luzny G takes the helm. It's a smooth handoff built on her proven leadership.

1:01This crossover from pitch to firehouse shows how elite athletes thrive in high-stakes public service, setting the stage for fresh energy and Staffordshire's emergency response.