Fire service reports historic gender pay gap shift

For the first time, women working in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) are, on average, earning more than their male colleagues, according to the latest gender pay gap report.

The 2024 report, which provides a snapshot of earnings as of April 2024, reveals that the median gender pay gap now stands at 3.28% in favour of women, with the mean pay gap reaching 8.35% in women’s favour. This marks a significant shift from 2018 when the service first began reporting and recorded a 15.6% gap in favour of men.

A changing workforce

The gender pay gap figures reflect changes in the makeup of the ECFRS workforce, with more women progressing into senior roles in recent years. However, the service acknowledges that operational roles, especially firefighter positions, remain predominantly male, contributing to year-on-year fluctuations in the figures.

Colette Black, Director of People Services at ECFRS, emphasised that while the annual report is a legal requirement, it also serves as an important benchmark of progress.

“Since we began reporting in 2018, the gap has decreased from 15.6%. The current figures show that the work we’re doing to create a workforce which better reflects our communities is making a real difference.

“It is worth remembering that our gender pay gap figures are constantly changing. Any gap, whether in favour of men or women, isn’t something we aim for, and we recognise it’s unlikely to ever be perfectly even as our workforce continues to evolve.”

Colette Black, Director of People Services, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

Commitment to equality

Gender pay gap reporting measures the difference in average earnings across all roles within the organisation, rather than equal pay, which ensures men and women are paid the same for equivalent roles. ECFRS operates a structured pay scale to uphold equal pay standards.

Despite the shift in this year’s figures, ECFRS maintains that any gender pay gap, whether in favour of men or women, is not ideal. The service remains committed to fairness, equal opportunities and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Since 2018, ECFRS has taken active steps to address gender imbalances, including:

• Promoting positive action in recruitment to attract a more diverse range of candidates.
• Collaborating with employee networks and external partners to improve inclusion efforts.
• Supporting career progression for women within the service.

As the workforce continues to evolve, ECFRS remains focused on long-term improvements rather than short-term fluctuations in figures.

“While gender pay gap figures will naturally fluctuate as our workforce evolves, our commitment to fairness, inclusion, and continuous improvement remains the same. We will continue working with our employee networks, partners, and stakeholders to create a service that truly reflects the communities we serve.”

Colette Black, Director of People Services, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

The full gender pay gap report is available here.

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