In terms of diversity, the Fire Service lags behind the police, prison service and NHS.

Yesterday the government announced radical new measure to increase diversity within the Fire Service, so that it reflects the communities it serves.

The new Equality and Diversity Strategy includes tough new recruitment targets designed to increase the number of black and minority ethnic fire fighters, as in terms of diversity, the Fire Service lags behind the police, prison service and NHS.

Independent research has shown that Fire and Rescue Services which better represent the diversity of their local population can save lives by being better equipped to reach those most at risk, driving down the number of fires and incidents and helping to ensure that all communities are fully aware of fire safety and what they should do if an incident occurs.

Currently just 3.2 per cent of staff are from a minority ethnic background, and just 3.1 per cent of fire fighters are women. There is only one female chief fire officer, and none from minority ethnic communities. In the police, one in twenty are now from a minority ethnic background and more than one in five are women. Only 12 per cent of Fire and Rescue staff are graduates.

The Audit Commission criticised fire services for their lack of diversity earlier this year, as it hampers efforts to reach and educate different communities about fire risk. All 46 local fire and rescue services will now have a target to ensure that at least 15 per cent of new fire fighting recruits are women and that the number of minority ethnic recruits overall reflects the local working population by 2013.

London for example will aim to achieve 29 per cent, with West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester 21.2 per cent, 11.5 per cent and 9.2 per cent respectively. nder the new drive within five years there should also be parity in retention and career progression between men and women and between minority ethnic and white employees.

Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda said that the new measures were “not about political correctness but about providing opportunity for all and finding the best skilled and talented people across communities.”

The need for a National Strategy has been highlighted by the findings of a new survey of fire fighters. This showed that while most feel valued and have good working relationships, harassment, discrimination and even assaults are not uncommon in the workplace.

The survey reported on a number of issues including evidence of unacceptable behaviours: for example a third of respondents had experienced bullying or harassment in the previous 12 months and a quarter said they had been verbally abused. There was also evidence of discrimination by individuals against work colleagues on grounds of age; gender; sexuality and race.