NFCC and EHRC sign Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding sets out shared expectations for collaboration under the EHRC’s Uniformed Services Programme, which aims to address race and sex-based discrimination, harassment and victimisation within the Fire and Rescue Service, the police service and the Armed Forces. It also outlines how the Equality and Human Rights Commission will support the National Fire Chiefs Council’s work designed to improve culture and inclusion across the sector.

Based on the feedback received from Fire and Rescue Services, this year the Equality and Human Rights Commission will deliver a bespoke package of support, including a webinar series on preventing sexual harassment, a peer-to-peer learning programme and Case Studies of good practice drawn from within the sector.

Those Case Studies will explain the steps taken by some Fire and Rescue Services to proactively protect their members of staff from sexual harassment in line with the preventative duty of the Worker Protection Act and also with reference the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s eight-step guide for employers.

Resources and support

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, stated: “We’re pleased to announce that we’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Fire Chiefs Council to improve how discrimination is tackled within Fire and Rescue Services.”

Stephenson continued: “We know there’s a lot of work to be done across the uniformed services in order to fully eradicate sexual harassment and racial discrimination. As Britain’s equality regulator, it’s our job to ensure these services have the resources and support they need to prevent discrimination and comply with the law.”

In conclusion, Stephenson noted: “This agreement marks a positive step. We now look forward to continued collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council such that we can assist all chief fire officers across Great Britain in tackling discrimination and cultivate an inclusive workplace for all employees.”

Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, explained: “Signing this Memorandum of Understanding with the Equality and Human Rights Commission is another in a series of steps we’ve taken to move from commitment to action on culture, equality and inclusion across the Fire and Rescue Services.”

Garrigan went on to state: “There’s no doubt that the challenge we face as a sector is real. This agreement strengthens the good work already taking place across Fire and Rescue Services, supporting continued learning and improvement by working closely with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in order to share evidence, insight and Best Practice and deliver tangible progress.”

In addition, Garrigan said: “At the National Fire Chiefs Council, we are clear that positive culture, dignity and respect must sit alongside operational competence and capability as a priority in the sector. This partnership will support our members to lead by example, amplify the quietest voices and ensure that Fire and Rescue Services are inclusive and safe places in which to work and continue to earn the trust and confidence of the public we serve.”

Initial commitments

Initial commitments include the National Fire Chiefs Council distributing Equality and Human Rights Commission surveys and event invitations to their respective networks and nominating representatives to support the Commission’s guidance development.

In return, the equality regulator will contribute to the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Listen and Learn sessions, provide feedback on key products (such as the Culture Dashboard Methodology) and deliver expert advice on the Worker Protection Act.

This agreement builds on a strong foundation of collaboration. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has previously responded to National Fire Chiefs Council consultations focused on the Addressing Sexual Harassment Toolkit, the Race Equality Toolkit and Violence Against Women and Girls Guidance. The equalities regulator has also participated in the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Culture and Inclusion Conference and presented findings from its own sexual harassment survey to senior leaders at the Council.

The National Fire Chiefs Council has actively engaged in the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Equality Exchange events, duly contributing towards discussions on the subjects of sexual harassment and race. The Council is also represented on key Equality and Human Rights Commission Advisory Panels, which help to shape guidance and strategy for uniformed services.

This Memorandum of Understanding reflects a shared commitment to driving meaningful change and fostering inclusive and respectful workplaces across the Fire and Rescue Services.