Staff Address Negative Comments In Powerful Video

As part of LGBTQI+ History Month, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) has launched a new video, addressing the negative comments posted on social media by members of the public. 

The video, titled 'Enough Is Enough', is an expansion of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's 2020 campaign which highlighted the importance of standing up to hate, especially those targeting the LGBTQI+ community. 

The video features members of staff from across the whole organisation, where viewers watch them address a handful of comments that have sadly been posted on the Service's social media channels, all of which are negative, discriminatory, and hateful.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has released this video in a bid to challenge these attitudes whilst hopefully reducing the amount of hate received, not only in Nottinghamshire, but towards all fire and rescue services across the country.

LGBTQI+ History Month, which is celebrated each February, is an opportunity for the Service to reflect on the struggles, achievements, and contributions of the LGBTQI+ community. 

Station Manager Charlotte Weatherall-Smith, who is also the Service's LGBTQI+ 'Proud Friends' Network Chair, features in the video. She said: "It is very important for NFRS to address the concerns that have surfaced. Negative comments towards the LGBTQI+ community and the work we do towards equality, diversity, and inclusion have been posted online, and we want to be clear that such comments are unacceptable.

"We will continue to ensure all of our staff and communities feel valued, supported, and accepted - everybody should be able to be themselves without facing any kind of discrimination.

"Standing up to the negative comments is crucial in creating a safe and inclusive environment for all - everybody has a part to play in making our communities safer, and it is vital for us to demonstrate that hate has no place in our society."