In May 2021, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Local Government Association (LGA) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) published the Code of Ethics for Fire and Rescue Services. DWFRS is fully signed up to the code, which sets out five ethical principles as a basis for promoting good behaviour and challenging inappropriate behaviour. In short “helping every member of the Fire and Rescue Service to act in the right way in their service to the public.”
Putting our communities first
We will put the interests of the public, the community, and service users first.
- Act with empathy, compassion, and respect, caring equally for everyone I deal with.
- Consider the diverse needs of my communities and tailor my work to best meet their specific needs.
- Understand and evaluate the impact I have on the public’s safety and wellbeing.
- Continuously improve my performance to better serve the public and my communities.
- Am an ambassador for my Fire & Rescue Service and a role model in my communities.
- Identify and remove barriers to people joining or accessing our service.
Integrity
We will act with integrity, including being open, honest, and consistent in everything we do.
- Am honest, open, and fair when dealing with everyone.
- Can evidence my decisions and am able to explain my behaviour.
- Build trusting relationships and demonstrate an understanding of everyone’s roles and responsibilities.
- Welcome challenge and adapt the way I work and my behaviour as a result of what I learn.
- Challenge behaviour that does not comply with our Code of Ethics or my service’s values.
- Never behave in a way that may cause others to act outside our ethical principles.
- Remain impartial and objective.
- Never act in an improper way, or in a manner that could create a perception of improper behaviour for personal gain. I declare relevant interests and relationships and maintain personal and professional boundaries.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
We will continually recognise and promote the value of EDI, both within the Fire and Rescue Service and the wider communities in which we serve. We will stand against all forms of discrimination, create equal opportunities, promote equality, foster good relations, and celebrate difference.
- Acknowledge and care about people’s diverse needs so they can access the services they need from me and my service.
- Provide an environment where everyone has an equal voice.
- Acknowledge my own unconscious bias and consider everyone’s perspective.
- Behave in a way that celebrates diversity in all its forms, everywhere.
- Tackle discriminatory behaviour, policy, and procedure.
- Do all I can to encourage people from underrepresented groups to join our Service and feel welcome.
- Help everyone to be their best and to always learn from one another.
Dignity and Respect
We will treat people with dignity and respect, making decisions objectively based on evidence, without discrimination or bias.
- Use unbiased judgement and behaviour and act respectfully.
- Act with decency and impartiality, recognising that my unconscious bias can prevent me considering all perspectives and needs when I am making decisions.
- Do the right thing when delivering services, using the ethical principles set out in this Code of Ethics and my service’s values.
- Support the development and opportunity of myself and my colleagues.
- Create an environment of openness and trust.
- Treat people with respect and without discrimination, harassment, or bullying; I actively reject these inappropriate behaviours.
- Challenge all inappropriate behaviour when I am at work.
Leadership
We will all be positive role models, always demonstrating flexible and resilient leadership at all levels. We will be accountable for our behaviour, decisions and actions and challenge all behaviour that falls short of the highest standards.
- Take responsibility for continuously improving my own performance and the performance of my service.
- Am accountable to the public, my employer and my colleagues for my decisions and actions.
- Take responsibility for my actions and their consequences.
- Address inappropriate behaviour in ways appropriate to my role.
- Recognise leaders exist at all levels in my organisation and communities.
- Always demonstrate the principles of a positive culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Am committed to implementing and working by this Code of Ethics.