0800 555 815

Positively Respecting Individuals Sexuality and Gender Identity, Sharing Best Practice whilst making our communities safer.

We believe that when staff can be themselves at work, they are happier and work better. Their performance will improve whilst working in a LGB&T friendly space. By working towards and achieving our aims we create a workplace for all our staff to feel comfortable and be happy.

• To provide a supportive network for all GMFRS staff, especially Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender staff.
• To publicise future events and meetings.
• To work with GMFRS to help make this an inclusive organisation.

LGB&T Champions

Councillor Paul Shannon - Vice-Chairman of the Fire Authority

Councillor Shannon is the Vice-Chairman of Greater Manchester's Fire and Rescue Authority, having previously served as Authority Chairman in 2008/2009. Paul is the Liberal Democrat Party's national spokesperson on fire issues, and is an accredited IDeA member peer.

He is Vice-Chairman of the North West Fire Regional Management Board, and a Director of the Local Authority Company set up to run the proposed North West Regional Control Centre. His aim is to ensure that Greater Manchester's Fire and Rescue Service delivers a high-quality service and good value to local people.

Paul was born and raised in Armagh, Northern Ireland, but has lived here in Manchester for 16 years, apart from a short spell working in a school in France. He is 35 and proud to live in and represent Rusholme, Manchester, now in his 10th year on the City Council.

Paul is a keen organist and former choirmaster. He is a Governor at Manchester's Birchfields Primary School, and also serves as a Board Member of Mosscare Housing Association. Paul is interested in local history and environmental issues in Greater Manchester.

Councillor Paul Ankers - Chair of Equality and Diversity

Councillor Ankers has been a Manchester City Councillor since 2007 representing his home ward of Chorlton for the Liberal Democrats. He has been spokesperson for Communities & Neighbourhoods for most of that time and also sits on the Children's and Young People Committee.

Councillor Ankers was elected onto the Greater Manchester Fire Authority in 2008 and has Chaired the Equality & Diversity Overview Group since then. He says that it has been a challenging role for him because of the need for GMFRS to be effective in all the communities across Greater Manchester. Manchester is made up of many strong and diverse communities and we work hard to understand and meet the needs of those communities in order to reduce risk and make Greater Manchester safer. Because of the dedication, commitment and hard work of people across the organisation GMFRS has been able to exceed its targets in this area of work.

Councillor Ankers says, 'to show just how effective the organisation has been, we have recently won three Equality Awards in two years and two runners-up. Our relatively low 'fire deaths' figures are partly because we get into communities and prevent fires and hence fatalities well before they happen. We should be very proud about this'.

Councillor Ankers has attended a number of conferences and events throughout the country sharing best practice and looking for ways to improve the service we give. There will always be ways we can improve, but we should be proud of what we have achieved as an organisation already.

Nick Mure - Assistant Chief Fire Officer

Nick started his Fire Service career with Hertfordshire Fire Brigade in 1980, transferring to London Fire Brigade as a Firefighter in 1983. Taking his first promotion in 1987 he served at a number of central and north London stations achieving Station Command in 1991.

Since 1991 he served in both Brigade Headquarters and Area Command posts, with responsibilities for both Operations and Training at various levels through to that of Senior Divisional Officer in 2000.

In 2001 he commenced a two year detachment as the Fire Service Liaison Officer, at the Police National CBRN Training Centre in Winterbourne Gunner, Wiltshire.

In 2003 Nick returned to London as an Area Commander, serving first in the south and then the north of the Brigade. Prior to joining Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service he was the Deputy Assistant Commissioner responsible for Operational Planning in London.

"I am committed to ensuring we have a fair, safe and harmonious working environment for all of our staff, whatever their age, race, religion, belief, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

For further information please contact Karen Henderson in the Equality and Diversity Team.

Last update: 13/06/2011 09:12:00