A "Pride and No Prejudice" conference organised by ESFRS (East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service) ahead of the annual Brighton Pride celebrations has been declared a "huge success".

The conference, attended by 100 delegates and chaired by ESFRS Chief Fire Officer Des Prichard, took place early last month at the Old Ship Hotel on Brighton seafront. It was an opportunity for Fire & Rescue Services from across
the UK to share ideas and best practice around LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) issues.

ESFRS had its strongest presence to date for the Pride Parade - joining a convoy of fire engines, which also included colleagues from West Sussex, Kent and Hampshire Fire & Rescue Services. Representing East Sussex Fire Authority was its Chairman, Ted Kemble, as well as Councillor Mo Marsh.

ESFRS staff gave their support by placing the rainbow flag outside Preston Circus Community Fire Station, helping to decorate the ESFRS fire engine and acting as marshals en route.

At the Pride Party in Preston Park, ESFRS shared a pitch with West Sussex FRS and Surrey FRS; with the Community Fire Safety Team on hand to provide fire safety advice to partygoers.

Gary Ferrand, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and ESFRS LGBT Champion, said:
"The conference was a huge success and achieved its purpose which was to raise awareness about LGBT issues in the Fire & Rescue Service, and to share many of the excellent practices and initiatives that have resulted in improvements across the Fire sector in recent years.

The culmination of joint planning between ESFRS and the Chief Fire Officers Association and the participation of a broad range of delegates who made valuable contributions as part of the main conference and the workshops made the conference such a hit with all attendees. But there is no doubt that the backdrop of the largest Pride event in the South East played a significant role."

Councillor Ted Kemble chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority said:
“East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunity’s employer and takes equality and diversity very seriously. The service was proud to have been
associated with the Pride and No Prejudice conference which covered a wide ranging number of subjects on equality and diversity within the emergency services. I was pleased to see representatives and Chief Fire Officers from a
number of fire services from the South East take part in Brighton Pride the following day."

For more information view:
www.esfrs.org