What makes an excellent service?

Dave Curry discusses the progress made by the Service in relation to equality and diversity

Equality and diversity

With the financial challenge we all face, and the removal of central guidance and measurement from Communities and Local Government, it would be easy for us to think that equality and diversity is becoming less important. However, we know and have seen great examples in our own fire services, that greater understanding of equality and diversity coupled with practical, sensible implementation leads to a better organisational culture and measurable improvements in the quality of the services we provide to our communities. The Chief Fire Officers Association believes that this is the perfect time to share our collective understanding. 

Looking forward

A series of CFOA events will be taking place. The first event will start to build a picture of what an excellent fire and rescue service could look like, and this theme will run through the three events until the picture is complete.

We will also be considering the challenge of engaging those in our services who we know remain unconvinced and how we can engage them in the future.

The Fire and Rescue Service should be justifiably proud of the achievements made over the last ten years. However more needs to be done, and therefore it is vital for the Chief Fire Officers Association to continue to lead on this important agenda which is why equality and diversity remains within the portfolio of responsibilities of the President of the Association. Peter Holland, CFOA President said: "I took on leadership of equality and diversity for CFOA when I became President in September 2010 and I am delighted that I have been asked to give the keynote speech as part of the event in March. This will provide me with an opportunity to share my views in more detail and particularly to listen to others to develop and challenge my own understanding." 

The events

This series of events provides a great opportunity for those in the Fire Service to gather, discuss and create a vision of a Fire and Rescue Service we would all like to see in the future. We hope that you will make the time to join us, to help shape the contents of these events and the future of equality and diversity in the Fire and Rescue Service.

The events will examine specific areas which present challenges to our service and try to provide practical solutions for how these can be overcome on our journey towards excellence. The first will be held on March 17, 2011 at the Deaf Cultural Centre in Ladywood, Birmingham. The second and third events will take place in October 2011 and March 2012 at the same venue.

For more information visit: www.cfoa.org.uk/events