History of the AFSA

AFSA was formed in 2003 by four Asian firefighters (Manjit Singh, Pavinder Singh, Akwala Deol, and Davinder Sodi) who wanted to see better representation and progression within the workplace particularly in the uniformed roles. However, the four founder members who received an award from the CLG in 2008 recognised very early on that the service needed a more strategic and a more inclusive group that could represent all members of the service and the Asian community. Hence, the birth of AFSA.

From this AFSA grew into a larger association, which embraced all London Fire Brigade staff and had a core of national associate members from operational, non operational and fire rescue service support staff recognising and taking account of the vast span of religions and cultures from across the whole of the Asian continent.

This has enabled AFSA to provide excellent consultation to fire and rescue services, government and others with regard to many issues ranging from recruitment, fire safety, clothing, and research. It has also enabled AFSA to support the development of new policies and strategies. AFSA members have also had a lot of fun along the way and made valuable contributions to charities and international aid. We have formed strategic partnerships with CLG, FBU (the Fire Brigade Union) under-representative groups, Networking Women in the Fire Service (NWFS) and many community groups.

Following on from its official launch in 2007 the Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA) made a bid to establish itself as the voice for change affecting Asian workers within fire and rescue services and their communities. This was AFSA’s second annual conference, building on and consolidating what was achieved to broaden the Association’s sphere of influence by extending what had been a London-centric base to a national framework, with a core of national associate members willing to take the association on to the next level. The conference was used as the launch pad for a national shadow committee.