North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and service delivery across North Wales - and today launches a consultation encouraging the public to have their say on its future equality objectives.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Ruth Simmons said: “It is our policy to ensure that all service users, job applicants and employees are treated fairly and with care. We recognise that people can experience disadvantage and discrimination for many reasons, and fully support the provisions of current legislation to remove these barriers.

“We are committed to leading in this process, not only because of a legal imperative but also because to do so helps us in achieving our operational and business goals as well as demonstrating the role of the Service in promoting community cohesion within the region.

“Equality is about creating a fairer society where diversity is valued and respected, where people do not face discrimination and prejudice and where everyone can participate, flourish and have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is therefore mindful of the need to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation

• Advance equality of opportunity

• Promote good relations between different groups of people and communities.

   

  The Equality Act 2010 harmonised and strengthened equality legislation under one Act which requires public sector bodies to have due regard to these issues. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is therefore actively encouraging people to inform the Service how it should work towards its equality objectives over the next four years.

   

  The Act lists a number of characteristics which must not be used as a reason to treat some people worse than others - these are the ‘protected characteristics’.

  Assistant Chief Fire Officer Ruth Simmons added: “The purpose of this consultation is to find out what people feel are the greatest barriers facing those with protected characteristics in North Wales and what our equality objectives should be for our Strategic Equality Plan 2016-2020.

   

  “This is an important consultation that covers equality in relation to a variety of different areas, including life and health, employment, education, personal safety, representation and voice, as well as access to services. Please take this opportunity to tell us what you think our equality priorities should be.”

  Please follow this link to have your say - the consultation runs until 31^st December 2015. Further information can be found at www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk