Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service have raised a rainbow flag over their Shrewsbury Headquarters and Telford Training Centre to demonstrate their support for the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).
The week long display of the rainbow flag marks their commitment to challenge homophobia, to provide a supportive and accepting workplace for LGBT employees; and to celebrate the recent same-sex marriage legislation.
Councillor Dr Jean Jones, Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority’s Champion for Equality and Diversity commented on the news: “I see this as a vitally important role in the Authority, one that reflects the importance our elected Members and senior management attach to the fair and equitable treatment of staff and ensuring that the service we provide to our communities doesn’t unfairly discriminate against any group or individual. This includes lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transsexual people, and IDAHO on Saturday 17 May is an opportunity for us to affirm this commitment.”
Councillor Stuart West, the service’s Authority Chair is equally clear: “It is important for us to show our commitment to equality of service for all our communities, of which Shropshire’s LGBT people form an important part.”
The Service is also supporting an attempt to set up a new public sector local LGBT group in the area, and working to improve our recruitment of LGBT staff and a higher public profile for our LGBT support work.
