The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been accredited as a living wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation.
The organisation has been accredited for its commitment to paying all its staff at least the national living wage of £8.25 an hour.
The living wage is a voluntary rate calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. It is significantly higher than the national minimum wage of £6.70 an hour, and is distinct from the government’s statutory national living wage rate of £7.20, which will come into effect in April 2016 for employees aged 25 and over.
Ian Brandwood, chief employment services officer at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Adopting the living wage forms part of our aim to be an employer of choice in all the communities that we provide services for, and despite the additional cost, overall it was felt strongly to be the right thing to do.
“We are committed to being a socially responsible employer that endeavours to improve the quality of life for our staff.”