London Fire Brigade Borough Commander Lucy Macleod has been awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship to research best practice for rescuing bariatric patients during emergencies and disasters.
Her study, titled “No One Left Behind: National Operational Guidance on Bariatric Rescue in High Impact Events”, will examine planning, equipment, training and multi agency response to improve operational guidance for firefighters across the UK.
Research to improve emergency response
Macleod, Borough Commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, is the only female national tactical adviser in the UK and is a Fellow of both the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue and the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
Before receiving the fellowship, she completed a Master’s degree in Disaster and Crisis Management, with her dissertation focusing on bariatric rescue.
The research aims to provide recommendations for National Operational Guidance, helping fire and rescue services and partner agencies carry out safe, dignified and effective rescues in a range of emergency situations.
Award winning firefighter
Last November, Macleod was named Most Influential Woman in Fire at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards.
Outside her operational role, she has also written a series of children’s books featuring her dog, Blue, to encourage the next generation to consider careers in the fire service.
Churchill Fellows announced
Macleod is one of 109 new Churchill Fellows announced by the Churchill Fellowship charity.
This year’s Fellows represent a wide range of professions, backgrounds and interests, with research topics including social media harm, climate friendly school canteens and dementia care in rural communities.
Each fellowship funds four to eight weeks of study with experts around the world, either in person or online, enabling participants to build international networks, exchange knowledge and apply their learning to improve services, communities and public policy across the UK.
Borough Commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, Lucy Macleod said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded a Churchill Fellowship. It provides a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts around the world, and bring that knowledge back home to improve how we protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities right here in London.
“I applied because I have seen first-hand how our communities are changing – we as a fire service need to evolve with them. During major incidents, evacuating and rescuing bariatric patients present significant operational, clinical and ethical challenges, yet there is currently limited national guidance in this area.
“I want to understand how other countries, such as Germany, Japan, Sweden and the USA, are addressing this challenge so we can learn from their expertise. This fellowship gives me a unique opportunity to do that.”
Julia Weston, Chief Executive of the Churchill Fellowship said: “In a world where looking outwards has never mattered more, there is something genuinely hopeful about people choosing to seek out new ideas, build connections across borders, and use that knowledge to create positive change.”
“I am delighted to welcome our 2026 Fellows. Each of them shows the power of curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn from others. We’re all looking forward to following their journeys and seeing the difference they make across the UK.”
