Allyship & The Active Bystander
Allyship and active bystandership are crucial skills for creating an inclusive culture in the fire service. Allyship is the practice of supporting and advocating for people, while active bystandership is the act of intervening or speaking up when witnessing harmful or inappropriate behavior. However, many firefighters may not know how to be effective allies and active bystanders or may face barriers and challenges in doing so. This workshop will help participants learn about the concepts and benefits of allyship and active bystandership in the fire service, and how to overcome the common obstacles and fears that prevent them from taking action. Through dynamic participation and personal bystander anecdotes, we’ll discuss research-based tools you can use to intervene when you witness disrespectful behavior, and that you can use to foster healthy and safe workplaces, a culture of accountability, and an environment of trust for everyone.
