Equality boost for fire service

CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service has been recognised for its equality.

The fire service has been ranked eighth in a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) charity’s list of employers for 2017.

It’s great news for the service, which last year was ranked 13th in Stonewall’s Top 100, which assesses organisations ranging from local authorities to international investment banks against criteria including engage- ment with staff and communities, training and leadership.

Chief Fire Officer, Paul Hancock, who is also the senior sponsor of the Service’s LGBT staff Network Firepride, said: “I am so very proud of the staff who have helped to cement our position as a pioneering employer of choice for LGBT individuals.

“To feature in the top 50 of the list over five consecutive years shows the value that we place on all our people.

“Despite progress, there are still very low numbers of visible operational gay and bisexual staff across the fire and rescue service, although this is slowly changing.

“Our aim is to make sure that all our staff feel able to be themselves, give their all and be open at work.”

Duncan Bradshaw, director of Membership Programmes for Stonewall, said: “Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a fantastic job, and really do put equality and inclusion at the forefront of their work.”