Firestyle Magazine Issue 4 - Summer 2016 | Page 7

Mehrban has worked for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) for over 9 years. During this time he has had a significant impact on the Service’s ability to reach out to a diverse range of communities. Mehrban has made an outstanding contribution to TWFRS mission and values and there are multiple examples which demonstrate the difference this has made to vulnerable communities. Mehrban has had a key role, working with staff and partners on a number of initiatives to build relationships between the fire service and hard to reach communities. These include: • Assisting in the design and delivery of an ‘Introduction to Islam’ course for Service staff • Working with Business Fire Safety Staff on making Sikh temples and mosques safer. • Assisting in the formulation of the TWFRS Safe Ramadan campaigns which have been run successfully for the past 5 years. • Creating links with local Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Chinese and other community groups • The design and delivery of TWFRS Hotshots campaign – designed to teach fire safety to young people from hard to reach groups through football. Mehrban has embraced equality across all protected characteristics. He frequently supports our work around LGBT inclusion, attending Pride and supporting LGBT conferences. He also works with older people’s groups, those with learning disabilities and people with sight, hearing loss and other physical disabilities. Mehrban is a long time member and supporter of Asian fire service Association (AFSA) executive board, having been a national chair for the last 2 years and is proactive in helping the Service to manage and maintain links with the organisation as well as contributing to national conferences promoting equality and diversity within workforce. Mehrban is an asset to TWFRS. He is a dedicated professional and enthusiastic member of staff who has gone out of his way time and time again to ensure that TWFRS has a diverse outlook and a positive image. His work has been recognised externally as excellent and evaluation demonstrates positive equality and diversity outcomes. 07