Equality, diversity and inclusion

The principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are at the heart of everything Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service does.

Without a workforce that represents, understands and meets the needs of our increasingly diverse communities, we simply could not keep people safe from fire and other harm. That is the reason why one of our four core values is being inclusive, by acting fairly, with integrity, respect and without prejudice.

By making EDI a priority over the last 20 years, we have already made significant progress. Through one of the UK’s most ambitious prevention programmes, every year we engage with thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds, using our understanding of the different risks they face to target our efforts where they will have greatest impact. We also work with an increasingly diverse range of businesses and commercial premises to ensure they meet their fire safety responsibilities. As a result, we’re seeing fewer fire incidents than ever before and fewer deaths and injuries from fire.

The firefighters, community safety teams and professional services colleagues who deliver this lifesaving work now include more women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi or trans (LGBT) than ever before. They are able to be themselves, and give their best at work and to their communities, because together we have created a service that His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services described in 2023 as “good at ensuring fairness and promoting diversity”, and has “well-defined values” and “a positive working culture”.

Gender Pay Gap reports

All public sector organisations and UK companies with 250 or more employees are required under the Equality Act 2010 to publish a Gender Pay Gap Report every year. This analyses and explains the difference between mean (average) and median (mid-point) earnings of men and women in the workplace. It also sets out actions to address any gap.

The gender pay gap is a different concept to that of equal pay.  Men and women, by law, must be paid equally for work of the same or similar value, and the Service pays men and women equally at every grade.  However, if one gender dominates higher pay graded roles, then there will be a gender pay gap.