Welsh Language Policy

At the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, we believe that in the conduct of public business in Wales, the English and Welsh languages should be treated on the basis of equality.

We serve a rich diversity of communities, against a backdrop of significant natural and cultural heritage.

We seek to provide services equitably to all areas of North Wales. The service acknowledges its duty towards its staff too, most of whom are residents of North Wales, and who themselves reflect the linguistic and cultural make-up of their own communities.

We pride ourselves on having taken the issue of language seriously over many years. By acknowledging our moral and legal duties to protect the cultural heritage of the area and to meet the expectations of the local community, we also acknowledge the positive service benefits of conducting our public business in both languages. Saving lives and reducing risk are at the heart of our mission - the language issue is vital to its success.

To view the Service's Welsh Language Scheme, click here

The North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority's Welsh Language Scheme 2010 - 2013 sets out how the Authority will abide by the principle that in the conduct of public business in Wales, it will treat the English and Welsh languages on the basis of equality and as such aim to deliver a service that is of the same high standard and quality in both languages.

It serves to;
- Offer the public a real language choice
- Recognise that service users are able to express their views and needs better in their preferred language
- Recognise that offering a language choice is a matter of good practice not a concession.

The Scheme is approved by the Welsh Language Board under section 16 of the Welsh Languages Act 1993 and is reviewed regularly.

The Linguistic Skills Strategy is a statutory requirement to provide a means of responding appropriately to the Service's commitments contained in the Welsh Language Scheme. The purpose of this Strategy is to take the Welsh Language Scheme further by providing a planned and strategic infrastructure for implementing it into the future.

Crucially, this means staffing the Service in accordance with the Welsh Language Scheme in order to enable the provision of services of equal quality, facility and breadth in both English and Welsh. It means satisfying service needs where there is a shortage of Welsh speakers within the workforce by adopting and implementing this Strategy.

The Linguistic Skills Strategy is therefore required to;
- Facilitate the proper implementation of the statutory Welsh Language Scheme in relation to staffing services to the public
- Mainstream the Strategy in the context of key aspects of corporate management.

As part of this Strategy, from January 2009, all new members of staff will be required to have the ability to show basic (Level 1) Welsh language courtesy skills before joining the Service. The emphasis is on speaking Welsh and the 15 minute test is an oral, recorded one (help is provided before interview in the form of a training CD).

From January 2010, all new staff will be allowed a specified period of time after formal appointment to achieve Level 2 - this will be within 12-18 months for wholetime and support staff and from 18 months for retained staff.

Please click here for the CD scripts

CD1

CD2

Your Comments

If you have any comments regarding our services, please contact:

Colin Hanks,
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Ffordd Salesbury, St. Asaph Business Park, St. Asaph, Denbighshire, LL17 OJJ

Tel: 01745 535250 or email.