Changing face of fire

GREATER Manchester Fire Service has vowed to recruit more women firefighters and ethnic minority staff.

There are only 74 ethnic minority full-time firefighters, one retained officer and 25 other staff which makes up 3.9 per cent of the total 2,559 staff across Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.

By 2013, fire chiefs have agreed to recruit 18.1 per cent of new recruits from ethnic minorities — 2 per cent above the population rate locally — and 18 per cent should be women.