Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service

Under the banner of 'Inclusion', equality and diversity is part of our Service Values. Over the last 10 years much has been done to ensure that we meet both our legislative and moral responsibilities in this area. This includes ensuring that we create a working environment where all staff feel they have the opportunity to contribute and prosper. It also means utilising all of the information available to us in order to target our prevention work based on risk and vulnerability within our communities. However, more needs to be done and therefore a key area of focus for us in the coming years will be to attract applications from a more diverse range of backgrounds for roles within the Service, whether this be in front line firefighter posts, or other roles that help to keep communities safer, which in turn helps us deliver a better service to them. Therefore equality and diversity will continue to be a critical golden thread that runs though all aspects of our Service." What do we mean by diversity? Diversity helps create the strongest team possible for our service and helps us connect more easily with everyone in the communities we serve. Simply put, it makes us more effective and efficient. We continually develop our relationships with partner groups, so we are able to "hear" those whose voice might be quieter. This is everyone's responsibility and we work hard to make sure that every contact counts and every opportunity is taken to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. This is essential if we are to deliver a service that is fair, honest and just, as perceived by the diverse community we seek to serve, and all members of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS). What do we mean by culture? Our strategy is further demonstration of our commitment to listen to our staff and assist them in challenging discriminatory ideas and behaviour. We must all work towards being tolerant and patient whilst developing a listening culture based on respect and mutual trust. We need to ensure the further ...