TWO Cheshire emergency services have been named among the best in the country for equality.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has continued its rise towards the top of LGBT charity Stonewall's Top 100 Employers list for 2019, rising from its 2018 fourth place to number three on the list and is the highest performing public sector organisation in the UK.

CFRS is also the best performing emergency service in the UK due to its efforts to engage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff, volunteers and communities.

Meanwhile, Cheshire Constabulary has been named the top performing police force in the country for equality among LGBT staff for the second year running.

The Top 100 list assesses organisations ranging from local authorities to international investment banks against criteria including engagement with staff and communities, training and leadership.

Stonewall has also recognised CFRS as a Star Performer, a new commendation which recognises consistent high performance. In addition, the LGBT Employee Network Group, FirePride, has been rewarded with a Highly Commended Network Group 2019.

Cllr Bob Rudd, the chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, the body which oversees the service, said the achievement was testament to the organisation’s consistent and continued work around equality.

He said: "Residents can be assured that the services we provide, be it emergency response, safe and well visits or youth work, are delivered in a way that’s inclusive of the wonderfully diverse communities we serve.

"No-one from the LGBT community should hesitate to engage with our staff or volunteers and the service’s third position on the Stonewall Top 100 list provides that reassurance.”

The service was recognised in particular for its focus on the organisation’s LGBT network, Firepride, a conference held in partnership with Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire West and Chester Council. A role models booklet was launched, showcasing LGBT models from the workforce. A Q&A discussion, in which role models shared their experiences at work, was part of the event.

The commitment of senior members of staff actively engaging with Trans inclusion, such as trans awareness sessions and the launch of the Trans allies empowerment programme was also a positive factor in the success of the Service in Stonewall’s Top 100.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin, also the senior sponsor of the service’s LGBT staff Network Firepride, said: “Last year, Stonewall released research that revealed more than a third of LGBT staff, wherever they work, have hidden they are LGBT and almost one in five LGBT employees in workplaces across the country have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.

“It is important that anyone joining our workforce knows that they can be themselves at work so they can fully commit to the important work they do for our communities.

"We want the best people to work for us, regardless of background, so I would urge anyone who would like to join us to keep an eye on our website for opportunities such as on-call firefighter recruitment at a number of our fire stations, whole-time firefighter recruitment and support staff vacancies.

"It is testament to the ongoing engagement of all our staff that once again we have been recognised as the top emergency service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Stonewall Top 100 list, endorsing our commitment to LGBT inclusivity.”

For Cheshire Constabulary, in 2018 the force was ranked in 26th place, but this year has seen the force move up to 18th out of 445 employers in the public and private sector.

Feedback from Stonewall praised the Constabulary for the visibility and commitment of senior staff at LGBT events and the strong statements made to support the LGBT community.

Community engagement was also praised, and in particular the force’s Youth Engagement teams who regularly visit schools to deliver hate crime talks and assemblies which refer specifically to LGBT hate crime.

Acting Deputy Chief Constable Darren Martland, LGBT Champion for the Constabulary, said: “We are delighted to have moved up eight places in this year’s Stonewall Index and to be ranked as the top police force in the country for the second year running is something we are extremely proud of in Cheshire.

“Reaching 18th place nationally demonstrates all the fantastic work that has been done during the past 12-months and we will continue to work with our staff, community groups and partners to strive to be one of the best performing organisations in the country.”

“The feedback received from Stonewall, along with our improved ranking, demonstrates that we are a place of work where LGBT+ staff are included, supported and able to flourish.”

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, added: “This accolade is testament to the hard work of Cheshire Constabulary to ensure it is one of the country’s most inclusive employers.

“I am proud that Cheshire Constabulary’s workforce is more diverse than ever and is reflective of the diverse range of communities it serves throughout Cheshire.”

Nicola Bailey, head of Human Resources at Cheshire Constabulary, said: “As ever, we have been supported by our leadership team, who are continually determined to ensure that LGBT+ individuals in and out of force are supported by Cheshire Constabulary to the best of our abilities.

“Our LGBT Action plan for the year will take into account the outputs from the Stonewall staff survey, to ensure we continue to make strides in relation to LGBT+ equality.”

Darren Towers, Stonewall’s executive director, said: “Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list are making a huge difference to workplaces, services and communities across the UK.

"LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to protect and support LGBT people. More than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) still hide their identity at work for fear of discrimination; that has an impact on productivity, wellbeing and more and shows we still have lots to do.

"However, with organisations like Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality, we are one step closer to creating a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception."