Derbyshire fire service voices support for Black Lives Matter movement

Gavin Tomlinson, the county’s chief fire officer, said the brigade ‘embraces inclusion and rejects racism’.

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Mr Tomlinson said: “Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service is proud to serve its diverse communities and stands united with the Black Lives Matter movement against all forms of racial prejudice and discrimination.

“We stand together as one to keep Derbyshire’s communities and residents safe and to ensure their needs are at the heart of everything we do.

“We embrace inclusion and reject racism, which has no place in our society.”

The Black Lives Matter movement has made headlines around the world following the death of George Floyd.

The unarmed back man, 46, died in the American city of Minneapolis on March 25 after being arrested by a police officer who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck.

Mr Tomlinson added: “I’m proud to lead a service where everyone works hard to make sure no one is treated unfairly, where everyone has the same access to opportunities and we recognise and embrace people’s differences.

“I am committed to continually challenge our customs and practices to ensure all forms of implicit and explicit discrimination are identified and removed.

“I will ensure that we continue this support for all of our employees and the communities we serve by continuing to champion all of our employee networks, continued staff inclusion training, facilitating firefighter awareness days and ensuring our attendance at multifaith and other key community events continues.”

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