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More ethnic minorities wanted for fire service

22/ 5/2008

FIRE chiefs in Greater Manchester have been offered a cash bonus if they recruit more women, blacks and Asians.

The Government says the fire and rescue service is not making enough progress in reflecting the background of the community they serve, unlike the NHS and the police, and they have challenged fire chiefs to sign up to tough new targets.

At the moment only 3.2 per cent of staff come from a minority ethnic background and only 3.1 per cent of firefighters are women.

In Greater Manchester, according to official figures, there are only 48 people from an ethnic background out of 2,482 staff (1.9 per cent) and the government say this should rise to 9.2 per cent by 2013 - or 11.2 per cent if they want a share of a £2million government bonus.

Official figures also show there are only 23 female firefighters in Greater Manchester out of 1,975 staff (1.2 per cent) and that if they want a share of the cash bonus they should increase that percentage to 18 per cent by 2013.

In Lancashire there are 1.3 per cent from an ethnic background in the fire and rescue service and 7 per cent in the community, 1.5 per cent women which the government says should rise to 15 per cent.
In Cheshire only 1 per cent of firefighters are from an Asian or black background and they say that should double, that only 2.1 per cent are women and that should rise within five years to at least 15 per cent or 18 per cent if they want extra cash.

The recruitment drive aimed at boosting the number of female, black and Asian firefighters, was announced by the fire minister, Parmjit Dhanda, in the Commons, following criticism that fire brigades often fail to reflect the background of the community they serve.

But the minister said this was not about political correctness but finding the best skilled and talented people across communities.

"People become firefighters because they want a rewarding career serving the local community and saving lives but currently the service often fails to attract the talent and potential that women, gay people, and those from minority ethnic backgrounds have to offer.

"The challenge now is for the fire and rescue services to get out there and fund and recruit them," added Mr Dhanda.

Setting out what he called the "toughest ever" recruitment targets, he claimed that the fire service had for too long lagged behind the police, prison service and NHS to attract women and ethnic minorities.

Some £2million of government cash will be available over the next five years who choose a more challenging 18 per cent target for women firefighters. This follows a £3million drive to attract gays and people with disabilities to consider a career in the fire service.

Mr Dhanda said it was disturbing to hear reports that many black and Asian firefighters had been bullied and verbally abused.

"No one should be victimised and I want to see much greater commitment from managers at all levels to stamp out this menace wherever it occurs," said the minister.

The vice president of the Chief Fire Officers Association, Charlie Hendry, said they were committed to help recruit more people from the minorities.

"The service is full of dedicated men and women serving their communities who deserve recognition for their efforts and we hope this strategy can give renewed emphasis to understanding the needs of different communities and making an already successful service even better," said Mr Hendry.

The Fire Brigade Union, which is holding its annual conference in Southport, have signed up to the government plan.