ESSEX County Fire and Rescue Service will celebrate pride month with virtual celebrations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Service's LGBTQ+ staff support group, BEING, will be promoting virtual celebrations for staff to celebrate throughout June.

BEING is one of many staff support networks in the Service and aims to support ECFRS employees through peer support, mentoring and social networking to help create an LGBTQ+ friendly working environment.

It also aims to increase an understanding of LGBTQ+ issues within ECFRS, raise awareness of LGBTQ+ events and visibly show support to all members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

Matt Hill, Chair of BEING, said: "While we can't celebrate in person, we can still celebrate virtually and be proud of the diversity within in Service. We'll be encouraging our staff to take part in the virtual celebrations until we can meet again in person and celebrate together."

The Service will also be changing its social media profile pictures to represent the new LGBTQ+ flag that celebrates transfer and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer and celebrates the diversity of its staff. If you would like to join Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, visit: join.essex-fire.gov.uk