A four-year plan to embed equality in the fire service is open to public scrutiny for six weeks.

The Safer Lives, Brighter Futures draft plan is open for consultation and details Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue's aims to make sure there is no discrimination within the 2,300 person service.

One area is a better recruitment effort from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic population. Only 1.18 per cent of the service's staff fall into that category. Reasons why include a low population of those groups living in villages that have retained fire stations.

The service's staff is also made up of 3.35 per cent of women. The service wants to increase the number of women in operational roles.

Communities is also featured heavily in the draft plan.

Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: "Our goal is to prevent loss of life and injury and the principles of equality and diversity are intrinsic to the way we work, from understanding the needs of different people, assessing risk and delivering services, to recruiting and developing our employees."

The draft equality plan and a summary version, together with details on how to respond, are on www.dsfire.gov.uk, or ring Community and Workplace Equalities team on 01392 872278.

The six-week consultation runs until March 2 and the amended objectives and feedback will then be considered by Fire Authority Members on March 19.