Fire service and council praised at awards

OLDHAM Council and Greater Manchester Fire Service have been praised for their work in reducing crime and attacks on firefighters.

The Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Awards gives recognition to staff and other organisations across the country who have shown exceptional commitment.

The council’s community fire safety team and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were runners-up in the Service Delivery award — for working with young people to reduce crime and attacks on firefighters.

The project was described as innovative with life-changing potential for a hard to reach group.

Oldham Youth Offending services and the fire service worked with young offenders helping to reduce youth crime, arson and attacks on firefighters.

The project reduced re-offending rates and young offenders became ambassadors in their communities for the GMFRS.

Phil Greenwood, of GMFRS, won an award for learning Urdu in his own time to better understand the needs of the local community.

Fire Minister Sadiq Khan said: “These innovative and ambitious schemes are an inspiration for other fire and rescue services to follow. The entrants know that equality and diversity matters because it is about fire safety for all. It is about reaching out to ensure that all members of the community benefit whatever their background.”

He said while there had been an increase in the number of women and ethnic minority firefighters more needed to be done.

He added: “Everyone should feel able to apply to be a firefighter. Some groups need to be encouraged to apply and that is why projects that create greater awareness of career opportunities among under represented groups are to be encouraged.”