Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue continue to improve their culture in response to damning national report
Chief Fire Officer, Mark Preece, says the report is a difficult read
Last updated 31st Mar 2023
Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, has responded to a report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that highlights widespread bullying, harassment, and discrimination in fire and rescue services across England.
In a statement, Preece acknowledged the difficulty of the report's findings and the need for services to take action to address the issue.
He stated that in Gloucestershire, they have prioritized efforts to improve their culture, increase the visibility and approachability of leaders, and provide wellbeing support and advice to staff.
Preece also noted that the recent HMICFRS report for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, published in January, shows good progress against previous recommendations, but more work remains to be done.
The HMICFRS report draws on evidence collected through inspections since 2018 and found that bullying, harassment, and discrimination are still problems in all 44 fire and rescue services (FRSs) in England.
The report recommends appropriate background checks on all firefighters and staff, the introduction of new misconduct standards, including a national barred list, and new mechanisms for staff to raise concerns.
Inspectors found a worrying trend of staff not raising concerns if they felt they were not part of an "old boys' club" in several services.
The report cites several examples of inappropriate behaviour, including racist, sexist, and homophobic comments and behaviours that went unchallenged or were dismissed as "banter."
The report calls for all staff to have reporting processes they trust as safe, without fear of reprisals, particularly in emergency service roles where the lives of both staff and members of the public are at risk.
In response to the report, His Majesty's Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services Roy Wilsher stated that the findings highlight deeply troubling bullying and harassment in fire and rescue services across the country.
Wilsher emphasized the need for the sector to "get a grip" on how it handles misconduct matters and for staff to feel able to report allegations without fear of reprisals.
The report makes 35 recommendations, which Wilsher urges chief fire officers, the government, and national fire bodies to implement urgently.