Black and Ethnic Minority Members

firefighter-hat

The Black and Ethnic Minority Members (B&EMM) section is a progressive group within the Fire Brigades Union. It represents, supports and spearheads the equalities agenda for under-represented ethnic minority members within their union and the modern Fire & Rescue Service, whilst simultaneously championing equality principles in the wider communities we serve.

The section seeks to be a focal point for advice and support on dealing with issues of discrimination, harassment and debarment as they affect B&EMMs of the fire and rescue service.

The section is committed to:

  • Offering help, support and to encourage networking by our members
  • To help fire and rescue services in ensuring that their BME recruitment, retention and progression strategies recognise the diversity in the communities they serve, and actively seek to reflect the very best of those communities
  • To advise and assist the FBU in educating its members in order to recognise, appreciate and respect cultural differences thus eradicating the effects of racial/cultural prejudice in the workplace and the community
  • To take full advantage of learning opportunities and to offer career guidance and influence in the creation and maintenance of supportive working environments

 

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Contacts

Secretary  Kasey LeGall  07535 051155  [email protected]  

Chair  Karen Bell  07956 915433  [email protected] 

B&EMM H&S Rep (acting) Corneil Power [email protected]

Scotland  Kava Fullman  [email protected]
Northern Ireland  Position vacant
North East  Position vacant  
Yorkshire and Humberside  Position vacant
North West  Robert Lewis  07815 984820  [email protected]
East Midlands  Position vacant
West Midlands  Adam McKenzie 07597 828775 [email protected]
Wales  Alex Szekely  07891 116312  [email protected]   
Eastern  Position vacant
London Karen Bell  [email protected] 
South East  Malachi Grant-Burrell  07572 886 987 [email protected]
Southern Richard Brown  [email protected]
South West  Position vacant

FBU members at the annual Black and ethnic minority members school at Wortley Hall

Standing in solidarity with the hurricane hit Caribbean

After Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean in October, the FBU Black and Ethnic Minority Members (B&EMM) Committee launched a donation drive. BE&MM sectional chair Karen Bell reports When Hurricane Melissa hit the island of Jamaica no one could have imagined the storm’s ferocity, or the trail of...
Fire kits handing up in a row with helmets on pegs

Stronger together

The FBU has commissioned an independent internal review into racism, calling on all members – retired and serving – to take part. Professor Nicola Rollock, Director of NIANRO Consulting, explains why   In recent years, a series of damning culture reviews have been published, detailing institutional...
Dwight Williams standing next to a fire engine

Dwight Williams, Eastern region B&EMM rep 

What made you want to become a rep? I’ve always believed in fairness, and becoming a rep has given me tools to challenge inequality, protect members, and push for change in the fire service. What has been your proudest moment as a rep? Being in a position to represent Black and ethnic minority...
Kasey LeGall at a rally holding a BEMM section flag

Fire chiefs must not be allowed to mark own homework on equality

Kasey LeGall, interim secretary of the Black and Ethnic Minority Members section (B&EMM) on fire service culture reviews, mental health, and driving change through the union In recent years, an increasing number of fire and rescue services have commissioned “culture reviews”, investigating...
A group of FBU B&EMM members at wortley hall

Thirty years – and still plenty to be done

The FBU B&EMM committee reports from this year’s FBU black and ethnic minority members’ school The FBU black and ethnic minority members section (B&EMM) national committee hosted its annual school at Wortley Hall, Sheffield. This year we recognised 30 years of the section, discussing the journey so...