Supporting Pride events across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.
During July and August, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has supported, and continues to support, Pride events throughout East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. Attending Pride events is not just about taking part in a parade, or waving a flag, these are community events and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service takes part, not only as an inclusive employer, but as a public service who supports all of our communities. Fires don’t discriminate and neither do we.
Flag Raising:
On Monday 24th July East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Dawn Whittaker gathered with representatives from East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community at the annual Rainbow Flag raising event at County Hall.
You can find out more here: Flying the flag with Pride | The Newsroom (eastsussex.gov.uk)
Eastbourne Pride:
Then came Eastbourne Pride on Saturday 29th July. The sun shone as the Pevensey fire appliance made its way in the parade from Eastbourne Pier to Princes Park. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank all the volunteers and staff who joined in the Parade. There was a fantastic reception from everyone that lined the route.
Watch Manager Lois Juckes from Pevensey Fire Station said: “Pevensey crew loved it and are looking forward to next year already!”
Sophie Hepworth, Partnership and Engagement manager said: “A special thanks to Pevensey for providing the appliance and an enthusiastic crew. It was a fun and relaxed atmosphere and the event lived up to the quote that ‘Pride is for everyone.”
Brighton Pride:
Brighton celebrated 50 years of Pride this year. There were rail and weather issues but the spirit of Pride shone through on Saturday 5th August with plenty of people lining the streets to wave and respond to our horns and whistles!
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service thanks all those who managed to get there and support Pride. A special thanks to colleagues from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for provision and driving of the Pride appliance and return transport to Hove.
Chief Fire Officer Dawn Whittaker, who attended the parade in full rainbow colours, said: “We were proud to support Brighton Pride again this year with Fire and Rescue Service colleagues from around the country. We are here to help keep people safe, and we continue to proudly support Pride events and the communities we serve across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.”
Important safety messages:
Throughout the celebrations East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has been spreading the key safety message of ‘Don’t Drink and Drown.’
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are regularly called out to water rescue incidents and some of the people involved accidentally fall in when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
We want people to have fun at Pride events but also take care of themselves. Using the hashtag #dontdrinkanddrown, we aim to raise awareness of the shocking statistic that between 2018 and 2022, 360 accidental drownings in the UK involved drugs and alcohol.
We are hopeful that our positive engagement will have a lasting effect and make people aware of the dangers of entering the water, keeping themselves and their friends safe.
For more information about staying safe around the water visit: Water Safety & Drowning Prevention | East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (esfrs.org)
Looking forward:
We look forward to further supporting Pride and the communities we serve at Hastings Pride on Sunday 27th August with the theme: Love & Compassion, Not Culture Wars. The parade starts from The Stade, Hastings Old Town at 11.00am.
For more information visit: Home - Hastings Pride