Black & Ethnic Minority Members

Hi all – please allow me to introduce myself and the B&EMM Executive Committee. My name is Michael Nicholas and I am the full time B&EMM Executive Council Member in the FBU. It is the first time we have had representation at the highest level of our union and I was elected in April 2002 and re-elected in December 2006. Prior to my election, I had held many other roles within the FBU, but the progression of B&EMM has always been my priority. The B&EMM executive, including myself, is:

Samantha Samuels – B&EMM National Secretary. Sam attended her first B&EMM School in 1997 and was a firefighter in the West Mids Fire Service. She was elected to her current position in October 2007 and before that she was the B&EMM rep for Region 7 and our National Chair. She is proudly the first black woman official in the FBU and works on our behalf full time.
We have a vacant position for our National Chair and an election is currently taking place with a result due by the end of February 2008.

We find it hard to believe that we ever needed to have a section for black/minority ethnic members but the reality is that, there is still much to do. The 21st century Fire and Rescue Service still lags behind other public authorities on equality, fairness, recruitment and community representation throughout the service. On your behalf we intend to achieve progression on all those issues.

The Annual B&EMM School is a must if you want to find out more about us and meet our people in the Fire and Rescue Service. It is one of the best attended educational events in the FBU education calendar.

Most importantly, we hope that our members are aware that there is a support network for them within the service – a service that can sometimes leave them feeling isolated. Please remember, you are never alone – we made sure of that! Get in touch?

B&EMM Mission Statement

To continue to be a support network within the British Fire and Rescue Service, its under-represented minority members and their union. To continue to being a focal point for advice, support and a pressure group on dealing with issues of discrimination, harassment and debarment as they affect Black and Ethnic Minority Members of the British Fire and Rescue Service.

Our Commitments:

• To offer support and encourage networking by our members wherever they work

• To assist Fire and Rescue Services in ensuring that their recruitment, retention and progression strategies recognise the diversities of the communities they serve and actively seek to reflect that.

• To advise and assist the FBU in educating its members in order to recognise, appreciate and respect cultural differences thus eradicating the effects of prejudice in the workplace and the community.

• To take full advantage of learning opportunities. Offer career guidance and influence in the creation and maintenance of supportive working environments.