Firefighters and MFRS staff to take part in Liverpool Pride 2016

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service firefighters, staff and Authority members will be joining in the celebrations at Liverpool Pride festival this year.

The Service has supported the annual event for a number of years and the theme for this year’s Pride, which takes place on Saturday, July 30, is ‘Liverpool Icons’.

Firefighters in uniform will march through the city centre, alongside support staff, councillors, friends, families and allies. A MFRS fire engine will also be at the event.

The march will follow a route from St George’s Plateau, along Whitechapel, Lord Street, Castle Street, Dale Street, North John Street, Victoria Street and Stanley Street, before returning to St George’s Plateau.

Following on from the launch of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s FireProud LGBT network earlier this year, Pride 2016 will mark the launch of the Service’s FireProud Allies programme.

The scheme will allow any MFRS firefighter or support staff member who may not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans but who believes in LGBT equality to pledge their support to LGBT colleagues and the LGBT community.

MFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan, said: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is fully committed to demonstrating its commitment to LGBT equality and does all it can to tackle discrimination.

“Diversity is promoted and celebrated throughout Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and it is an honour to be taking part in Liverpool Pride.”

Equality & Diversity Manager, Wendy Kenyon, said: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service fully supports our LGBT staff and we work hard to create an inclusive, diverse workplace.

“This year’s Pride is the first we will be taking part in since launching our FireProud network earlier this year, which offers support and advice to all staff who identify under the LGBT umbrella.

“We are delighted to be launching our FireProud Allies Programme at Liverpool Pride this year, to demonstrate further support for our LGBT workforce and the wider LGBT community across Merseyside.”

For more information about the event is available at www.liverpoolpride.co.uk