INFLUENCE, REPRESENT, SUPPORT, GROWTH

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About AFSA

We believe that the AFSA as an organisation has the power to do good. To make a difference. When fire and rescue services do well, society prospers and equality, diversity and inclusion have a key role to play in protecting and growing diverse communities. As an essential provider, the fire service can create opportunities, build, innovate and cultivate a better future for the next generation.

We propose to drive positive change through the fire service with the following:

Our vision: An inspirational members-led organisation for all fire and rescue services and partners, leading in the influence, voice and support we offer our members in striving to achieve equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our mission: To provide exceptional services and support to our members through clear leadership and support that enables our members to effectively mainstream equality, diversity and inclusion and reduce inequalities that staff and communities experience.

Our values:

Service to the community – and our united purpose - to improve the quality of our services.
Represent – To be the collective voice of the fire service championing their interests in the media, government, the fire service and wider
Diverse communities – we are prepared to stand up and be counted; we continually seek to develop new and better ways of working with and for diverse communities.
Continuous improvement – we understand the FRS, the many challenges it has overcome and the transition it is now undertaking. We are authoritative and have proven expertise in helping to deliver for staff and the public.

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AFSA Asian Fire Service Association

Our Strategic Objectives

INFLUENCE

To shape the environment members operate as they strive to integrate equality, diversity and inclusion.
To support the environment in which our members operate ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of our thinking – with a specific focus on national fire strategy and reform, supporting national resilience and fire programmers, fire safety, equality, diversity, inclusion, workforce, community, quality, governance, regulation, devolution, transformation, integration and system working.

REPRESENT

To be the voice of the fire service working with partners to highlight the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.
To be the collective voice of the fire service, championing its interests in the media, government, the fire service and wider in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion. We will look to work closely with the Home Office, Local Government Association (LGA), National Fire Chief Council (NFCC), Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Women in the fire service and others.

SUPPORT

To provide the latest research and good practice in equality, diversity and inclusion.
To help our members drive improvement and innovation through effective, shared development, support and learning.

GROWING ORGANISATION

To increase the membership base and income.
We will look to add to the corporate membership base and deliver on behalf of AFSA members cost effective development interventions.

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How we work

Member Led

We are a members’ organisation.
To be effective, we need to be excellent at identifying our members’ needs and meeting them.
In addition, providing a safe platform and respectful environment where issues and ideas can be raised and discussed.

Transparency and Accountability

We must be fully accountable and transparent to our members in all that we do.
To ensure legitimacy, the AFSA must regularly consult and listen to the views of its members.

Behavioral Insights

We will apply behavioural insights to inform policy, improve fire and rescue services and deliver positive results for people and communities.
This may involve:
- A friendly nudge
- Proactive support
- Taking a people focused approach

Collaborative

We work in a complex, highly interdependent system with many influential players.
We rely on our members to generate the evidence we need, and we can only deliver our objectives by working collaboratively. We therefore recognise the need to be a highly effective strategic partner working with organisations such as the Home Office, Local Government Association (LGA), National Fire chief council (NFCC), Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Women in the fire service and others.

Innovative

If the AFSA is to meet the challenges it faces, it needs to innovate and transform, creating radically different patterns of delivery.
Our members are in a unique position to help drive this change.
We need to support and enable this innovation and, if required, to lead it.

Equality Divercity and Inclusion

Striving to achieve equality, diversity and inclusion must be a central tenet of our work.
This is a moral and legal imperative and a business need. Going beyond compliance and recognising valuing difference in all its facets and focusing on inclusion will add value to the fire service and the community. In addition, providing an inclusive approach will be a key component of how the AFSA delivers a service to members and partners.

Professional

We aspire to a high degree of professionalism and rigour in all that we do.
Our work must be evidence-based and underpinned by robust data.
We will recruit volunteers from the fire service to help carry out the work of the AFSA and at the same time develop their knowledge, experience and skills that will in turn benefit their own organisation.

Testimonials

"AFSA is a diverse group in itself and one that provides a strong sense of community.

Our AFSA membership helps us, as an individual service, to play a part in a broad national programme focussed on progressing inclusion in our own workplaces. AFSA supports this community by creating and delivering relative and detailed research, which provides the bigger picture of Diversity & Inclusion topics from across the globe. AFSA has regularly provided a space for us to meet with likeminded individuals and the forum to encourage constructive debate which generates innovative ideas and a forum to share best practice."

Dawn Whittaker, Chief Fire Officer at East Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service

"Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service have been a corporate member of the Asian Fire Service Association since its inception. GMFRS has hosted two national conferences and number of development days over the years and fully support the work AFSA does.

AFSA has been instrumental in supporting GMFRS’s Inclusivity work, sharing learning and expertise in the development of Equality & Diversity in the workplace.

AFSA has given us a great opportunity to network with other Fire & Rescue Services and the wider sector, all working to deliver an inclusive workplace."

Jim Wallace, Chief Fire Officer at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service

"Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s membership with AFSA has created an amazing opportunity to better support and progress our vital Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work.

For us, EDI is a celebration of all people and communities of Warwickshire, acknowledging differences but also a coming together in understanding and appreciation. The very word ‘Community’ means ‘come unity’.

We have a very close relationship with AFSA, and the synergy we have created and are developing together, has greatly strengthened this valuable partnership but moreover drives our common EDI ambition.

AFSA are an incredibly supportive partner organisation and we feel sure our collaboration will grow and encourage new opportunities, break down barriers, challenge behaviours and create a better and more inclusive world.

AFSA has enabled and encouraged a highly progressive school of thought by recognising the need for early interventions and offering strong examples to positively shift Leadership thinking, policy, planning, culture and all aspects of service delivery, particularly community engagement.

The collaboration between Warwickshire Fire and Rescue and AFSA is key in celebrating the rich tapestry of our diverse communities and beyond; our relationship with AFSA and the support they offer us could not be more highly valued. Thank you AFSA!"

Kieran Amos, Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service

"The Asian Fire Service Association does some amazing work bringing together partners such as NHS, emergency services, local government and others across the system to advance diversity and inclusion, we are proud to be associated with them"

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive at NHS Employers

"As an organisation that strives to push boundaries to empower, attract and support a more diverse and inclusive workforce, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services has established a strong alliance with the Asian Fire Service Association and holds them in high regard. The advice, insights and strong ambition of ASFA to innovate and promote diversity within the sector is invaluable and the Fire Sector as a whole benefits from the thought provoking advice, research, networking opportunities and support that they provide. By working together to develop forward thinking strategies and approaches to promoting diversity within the Fire Sector, we can achieve outstanding results and ASFA are working alongside us all to make that happen."

Mark Cashin, Chief Fire Officer at Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

"I have enjoyed a close working relationship with the Asian Fire Service Association since its inception, as it has furthered understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion in the UK Fire and Rescue Service and wider. As a people-centred association, I have benefited enormously from the friendship and support of AFSA members as they have helped to develop my knowledge, contacts and contribution. The conferences and events staged by AFSA are by far the most challenging, engaging, educational and enjoyable on the UK fire sector calendar and a must-attend for delegates.

In addition, the support AFSA has shown to The Fire Fighters Charity during my tenure on the Board of Trustees has been outstanding in terms of fundraising, spreading our message and working together. On behalf of the Board of Trustees I would like to thank AFSA for your commitment and support and look forward to working with you in future to continue to spread the message"

Andrew Lynch, Editor & Publisher at FIRE Magazine; Chair at The Fire Fighters Charity

"AFSA is a shining light. It is not only a warm and supportive network, but it also provides the challenge to the status quo that is such a necessary pre-curser for progress."

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service; Author of ‘Heat of the Moment’

"The importance of groups such as AFSA cannot be underestimated both at a national and local level AFSA performs a vital role in terms of ensuring that equality, diversity and fairness are mainstreamed in the Fire and Rescue Service. AFSA forums and events provide excellent opportunities for people to come together and build a solid network to support professional development and progression, discuss key concerns, provide an opportunity to challenge, exchange ideas and share learning experiences."

Phil Garrigan, Chief Fire Officer at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service

"AFSA is a significant player in the field of diversity and equality both in terms of workforce and service delivery. An independent staff led body committed to the work of the fire and rescue service who regularly bring together the best academic and evidence-based thinking as well as real world application. AFSA has a unique connection to staff within the fire service, senior leaders at all levels as well as the government and regulators. This creates a stimulating – sometimes provocative – but always constructive environment in which ideas and thoughts can be shared and shaped."

Roy Wilsher, Chair at National Fire Chiefs Council