Inclusion partnership set out in new MoU
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out joint working on discrimination and inclusion across fire and rescue services.
The NFCC described the agreement as part of its work on culture, equality and inclusion across the sector.
The MoU sits within the EHRC’s Uniformed Services Programme, which aims to address race and sex-based discrimination, harassment, and victimisation within fire, police, and armed forces.
The agreement sets shared expectations for collaboration and outlines how the EHRC will support NFCC activity linked to culture and inclusion.
Support package and initial commitments for 2026
Based on feedback received from fire and rescue services, the EHRC will deliver a package of support including a webinar series on preventing sexual harassment, a peer-to-peer learning programme and case studies of good practice drawn from within the sector.
The case studies are intended to describe steps taken by some fire and rescue services to proactively protect staff from sexual harassment, in line with the preventative duty of the Worker Protection Act, and with reference the EHRC’s 8-step guide for employers.
Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Chair at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “We’re pleased to announce we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Fire Chiefs Council to improve how discrimination is tackled within fire and rescue services.
“We know there is a lot of work to do across the uniformed services to fully eradicate sexual harassment and racial discrimination.
“And as Britain’s equality regulator, it is our job to ensure these services have the resources and support they need to prevent discrimination and comply with the law.
“This agreement marks a positive step forward and we look forward to continued collaboration with NFCC to help them and all Chief Fire Officers across Great Britain tackle discrimination and cultivate an inclusive workplace for all employees.”
Phil Garrigan, National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, said: “Signing this Memorandum of Understanding with the Equality and Human Rights Commission is another in a series of steps we’ve taken to move from commitment to action on culture, equality, and inclusion across fire and rescue services.
“There is no doubt that the challenge we face as a sector is real.
“This agreement strengthens the good work already taking place across fire and rescue services, supporting continued learning and improvement by working closely with the EHRC to share evidence, insight, and best practice, and to deliver tangible progress.
“At NFCC, we are clear that positive culture, dignity, and respect must sit alongside operational competence and capability as priority in the sector.
“This partnership will support our members to lead by example, amplify the quietest voices, and ensure that fire and rescue services are inclusive, safe places to work that continue to earn the trust and confidence of the public we serve.”
Ongoing collaboration and existing work
Initial commitments in the MoU include NFCC distributing EHRC surveys and event invitations to its networks, and nominating representatives to support EHRC guidance development.
The EHRC will contribute to NFCC Listen and Learn sessions, provide feedback on products including the Culture Dashboard Methodology, and provide expert advice on the Worker Protection Act.
The EHRC has previously responded to NFCC consultations on the Addressing Sexual Harassment Toolkit, Race Equality Toolkit, and VAWG Guidance, and has taken part in NFCC’s Culture and Inclusion Conference and presented findings from its sexual harassment survey to senior leaders at the Council.
NFCC has also taken part in EHRC Equality Exchange events and is represented on EHRC advisory panels linked to guidance and strategy for uniformed services.
The MoU sets out how the two organisations intend to continue working together on culture and inclusion across the fire and rescue sector.