Suffolk Fire and Rescue diversity, inclusion and culture

Learn more about the Suffolk Women in Fire Together (SWIFT) network and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

HMICFRS value and culture recommendations action update - September 2024

Suffolk Women in Fire Together network

Read about Suffolk Women in Fire Together (SWIFT).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Our commitment

We value diversity and actively promote equality and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We want people from under-represented groups and with a protected characteristic to see working for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service as a rewarding, inclusive, progressive, and worthwhile career.

We want Suffolk to be a great place to work, a place where all our staff enjoy coming to work, feel they can be themselves and their differences are accepted as being an important and valued part of a wider and inclusive team.

We want people to feel they do not need to change just so they can fit into an existing team. We want people to feel they are encouraged to stay in the fire service, there is a career progression route for everyone, and this is supported and encouraged.

This is achieved by:

Treating everyone with dignity and respect and fostering an inclusive and trusting culture.

Recognising, respecting, and listening to the varied needs of our communities, staff and providing different solutions for different needs and requirements. 

Valuing and encouraging better understanding of people's differences and things we have in common. Challenging prejudice and discrimination.

EDI Working Group statement

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are key priorities of Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service. The EDI Working Group consists of a diverse mix of personnel from across the Service; operational and non-operational, of all ranks and roles. Co-chairing the EDI Working Group provides us with the platform to discuss, action and deliver on important EDI matters, by feeding into the People Board , which is made up of Managers and Representative Bodies.

Our goal is to make Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service an organisation where all staff feel able to bring their full selves to work every single day; and where our Suffolk communities are both represented and understood- enabling us to deliver the most highly effective service to our communities, in a well-informed manner. Education is key, and by learning from one another we can truly become the best Service that we can be.

Senior Managers EDI Group statement from AFSA Chair

The Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA) has had a proud association with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

SFRS were one of the founding corporate members of AFSA and over the years have worked with AFSA to jointly host regional equality meetings, development days and national conferences.

Most recently in October 2020 we jointly hosted an online national event celebrating Black History Month. In addition, AFSA has also sponsored the work SFRS has done in relation to community engagement & work with the Bangladeshi community & using football as a vehicle for building awareness of the role of SFRS.

We look forward to working with SFRS & helping them embed equality, diversity and inclusion in the future.

Dalvinder Rai, AFSA Chair, Asian Fire Service Association.