South Wales Fire and Rescue Service supports Black History Month 2023

Throughout this October, Team South Wales will be marking #BlackHistoryMonth with several activities, in our quest to be a more diverse workforce representing all people within our communities.  

After a successful Black History Month in 2022, Firefighter Alex Szekely, of Station 21 Aberbargoed, represents the Black and Ethnic Minority staff network within South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and has again shaped how the Service will celebrate the month, working alongside Charysse Harper, the Service’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead. 

Activities this month include: 

• Posters of historical figures from Black history who have inspired our Firefighters have been circulated to Stations
• Updated staff profiles of colleagues from our Black communities on our website and social media
• Messages of support from Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway QFSM
• A livestream Q and A TBC
• Promotion of our upcoming Wholetime Duty System 2023 recruitment campaign

Charysse Harper, EDI Lead, said “We are proud to be celebrating Black History Month at #TeamSouthWales again this year. We understand the importance of recognising the different backgrounds and experiences of our staff and the communities that we serve. By sharing our stories, we hope to improve our engagement in diverse communities and to inspire currently under-represented people to consider a career within South Wales Fire and Rescue Service that better reflects the full diversity of our region.”