Diversity and inclusion
Our communities are changing and so must we. Greater reflection of our community leads to greater understanding enabling us to help build true resilience.
– Darren Klemm AFSM, AFAC President
Valuing diversity and being inclusive reflect societal expectations, legal obligations and are critical to supporting workforce capability. There has been abundant evidence on the benefits of diversity and inclusion in other industries, but only recently have these been articulated for the fire and emergency industry in the report: Gender Balance In Fire And Emergency: Going Beyond “It’s The Right Thing To Do”.
AFAC’s approach
AFAC and AFAC members acknowledge and support the importance of all dimensions of diversity and inclusion.
Experience shows that improving gender diversity is often a key step in enhancing broader diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. Persistent low levels of gender diversity and inclusiveness within some AFAC member agency workforces, coupled with the findings of reviews of workplace culture and behaviour, prompted AFAC to seek solutions.
Understanding that strong leadership and commitment to change was required, the entire AFAC National Council joined the Champions of Change Coalition Fire and Emergency Group.
Further resources
AFAC Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
AFAC recognises the importance of reconciliation in creating stronger, safer, more inclusive and resilient communities. Through this partnership with Reconciliation Australia, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to honouring the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Champions of Change Fire and Emergency Group
The Champions of Change Fire and Emergency Group are committed to actively advancing gender equity across AFAC organisations, to advance inclusive cultures and achieve significant and sustainable improvements in the representation of women in our workplaces.
Valuing differences to enhance SES capability
The purpose of this publication is to showcase how the State Emergency Services (SES) is working to build an inclusive culture, by embracing the value of bringing people from different backgrounds and different points of view to work together.
Links
The links contain key diversity and inclusion information in Australia and New Zealand.