General

Response to positive action taster days

Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service 

We acknowledge there has been some criticism of the way the Service has organised its upcoming taster days.

The criticism has largely focussed on our decision to hold separate taster days for specific groups, namely women, LGBT+ and Black and minority ethnic groups. 

As a Service we are trying very hard to address issues that may be persuading some people from these groups that a career in the fire service is not suitable for them.  

By holding taster days tailored to address issues such as this, we believe we have a much better opportunity to dispel misunderstandings and provide people with good, accurate information.

We also want to reassure people that the modern fire and rescue service can offer them a fulfilling and rewarding career. 

Taster days are not recruitment days. They are an opportunity for under-represented groups in the fire service to find out more about working as a firefighter and to encourage them to apply for future vacancies.   

Taster days are positive action, they are not recruitment sessions.   

There are no quotas.   

When we have vacancies we employ the best that apply and only those that meet the standards. 

Positive action is frequently confused with positive discrimination. 

Taster days are an example of positive action, raising awareness amongst those groups, under-represented in our workforce. 
Positive discrimination is illegal and we would not act unlawfully.

A modern day firefighter is a public service role. As well as fighting fires and responding to emergenices, they work in schools and with young people, giving talks to community groups, supporting the vulnerable and most importantly working in people’s homes to prevent incidents.   

We want to be an inclusive service that reflects the communitiy we serve. To do that we want the best people to apply regardless of their age, gender, race or lifestyle for this diverse role. 

We have provided some responses to frequently asked questions that will be helpful in understanding why we carry out positive action. 

Wholetime firefighter taster day - Black, Asian and Minority ethnic groups

Be part of our future

Ever wondered what it takes to become a wholetime firefighter?

In preparation for recruitment later this year, come along to one of our taster days for:

  • Recruitment information
  • Career information
  • A chance to use firefighting equipment
  • A try-out of the physical tests
  • The opportunity to talk to some of our firefighters

This session is only open to those who identify as Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and takes place at:

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Presented to SFRS by iESE, the public sector’s transformation partner, the award recognises the introduction of a system called ‘FireServiceRota’.

The system not only provides up to minute information about the availability of fire crews but also a flexible way for staff to manage their own availability from any mobile device.

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Firefighters and support staff across Shropshire will be sharing stories on social media about how they’re using their wide range of skills to provide community reassurance and help, in response to the national crisis.

No Smoking Day 2020

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Smokers are being reminded today that careless disposal of cigarettes is the single biggest killer in house fires. In the year ending June 2019, 215 people lost their lives due to a fire at home.

With a steady decline in the number of smokers in England, the overall number of fires triggered by cigarettes is small, but with over a third of all fire deaths in the country attributed to cigarettes the proportion of fatalities is staggering.

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