29th May 2008
Kent firefighter receives national award
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A firefighter who has led the way in raising awareness of hidden disabilities in the work place and in the community has triumphed at the national Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Awards.
As a dyslexic, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Strood Watch Manager Chris Caswell knows all to well how a disability can lead to problems with day to day tasks such as reading and understanding written communications and instructions. Chris spent several years masking his disability because he was worried about how his colleagues would react.
Once he declared his dyslexia, Chris realised that Kent Fire and Rescue Service was more than willing to support him and was also prepared to make adjustments so that he could work on a level playing field to his counterparts.
Using himself as an example, Chris strived to ensure that staff and management were aware of hidden disabilites such as dyslexia. This has helped develop an open approach to disability, which has in turn encourgaed other affected staff to come forward and declare that they have a disability without feeling embarrassed.
Speaking yesterday (28th May) at conference aimed at addressing Equality and Diversity in the Fire and Rescue Service, Fire Minister Parmijt Dhanda presented the awards with BBC News and television broadcaster Nicholas Owen. These give recognition to Fire and Rescue Service staff in England - both individually and in teams - who have shown exceptional commitment to leadership, service delivery and partnership working which furthers the aim of improving diversity in the Fire and Rescue Service.
Chris fought off 40 other applicants to win the Communities and Local Government award for Service Delivery.
The panel of judges, made up by both private and public sector peers who had an excellent understanding of equality and diversity issues, said: “This was a marvellous example of demonstrating good practice for other fire and rescue services to follow. Chris’ innovative approach successfully promoted hidden disabilities and prompted significant changes to Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s policies on disability and the way it delivers its service. The benefits of which have been felt in both the workplace and the community.”
Chris said: “I am so pleased to win this award – colleagues in Human Resources, Information Systems (IS) and Training Centre put in a tremendous amount of hard work so that we could effectively address disabilities like dyslexia, not only for the benefit of staff but the public we serve too.
“In recognising hidden disabilities, KFRS has developed different methods for new recruits and firefighters to complete promotional exams, improved the IT facilities that are on offer so that dyslexics and others can receive information in either a Video, Audio or written format. It has also made significant changes to the way it communicates with others – for example, we now have software that enables dyslexic staff to speak an email and then send it to the intended recipient, as well as a read speaker facility on its website that speaks aloud written content.
“By making practical changes and demonstrating that KFRS is an employer that respects, values and supports its staff, regardless of disability, we hope that the members of the diverse communities in Kent and Medway are encouraged to seriously consider careers in the fire and rescue service. Our goal is to have a workforce that truly reflects the county we serve.”
//ENDS//
Notes to editors: Photos of Chris receiving his award from the Fire Minister Parmijt Dhanda, Nicholas Owen and Chief Fire Officers Association President Charlie Hendry are available from the Press Office.
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