The FBU has written to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and the fire minister highlighting “chronic management inaction” in relation to reports of firefighters in Kent having to strip to their underwear in full view of colleagues and the public.
In May, FBU brigade secretary Danny Barrett wrote to Kent fire service chief executive Ann Millington to complain that firefighters were “on regular occasion stripping down to their underwear in full view of all prior to donning fire kit when attending operational incidents”.
This followed concerns that were raised with the union’s national women’s committee.
Responding to the letter, Ann Millington dismissed the reports as the product of a “rumour”. Later she appeared to defend the practice, stating that stripping down to underwear could prevent overheating.
However, the union has confirmed that the practice is being used. It is not accepted in any fire and rescue service in the UK outside Kent, and could have a negative impact on protection from toxic fire contaminants.
National Fire Chiefs Council chair Mark Hardingham and the fire minister Chris Philp have failed to address the issue to date.
