Our own Samira presented at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Conference in conjunction with the Asian Fire Service Association (ASFA) on 18 July 2016 in Leeds. The event concentrated on the importance of equality and diversity in the workforce and how this could be achieved in the emergency response units also.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, an important body in providing a vital service in ensuring the safety of the local community, have recognised that their employees do not reflect the community of West Yorkshire. By that, they recognise in West Yorkshire ethnic minority firefighters make up 3.8% of full-time firefighters, compared with 18.2% of the population. Statistics taken from the Department for Communities and Local Government also show just 4.4% of full-time firefighters in England and Wales are from non-white communities.
The conference focused on the importance of diversity, specifically focusing on engaging with their community and positive action.
Given her expertise in employment law and discrimination, Samira was asked to provide guidance as to the importance of diversity and ensuring ‘positive discrimination’ remained within the confines of the Equality Act 2010.