Apology after Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service found to have been institutionally racist
The service's Black and ethnic minority firefighters and staff have been commended for their bravery in speaking up.
Last updated 8th Nov 2024
The Chief Fire Officer has apologised on behalf of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) for past institutional racism.
It's as an Independent Review, into allegations of racism and bullying between 1991 and 2018 is published.
The review, led by West Midlands Employers found that the service had been institutionally racist but, that it was not institutionally racist today.
The key findings in the report relate to past institutional racism and organisational failings between 1991 to 2018 including poor watch cultures that hindered integration; leadership that prioritised operational competence over people management and inclusivity; a lack of psychological safety in particular when raising concerns with inconsistent and ineffective grievance processes; and widespread historical misogyny.
Many of the report’s 14 recommendations are areas previously identified by GFRS as needing improvement, with work already underway to address them. New recommendations from the report will be added to GFRS’s ongoing transformation programme to ensure they are actioned as quickly as possible.