On Tuesday 28 March, the Fire Brigades Union Executive Council approved the following statement:
The publication of the Independent Culture Review in November 2022 revealed serious issues in the London Fire Brigade, including widespread complaints about misogyny, racism, homophobia and harassment. Since the publication of the review, similar concerns have come to light in other Fire and Rescue Services, including Dorset and Wiltshire.
Equality is a trade union principle and a priority for the FBU. We deplore abusive and discriminatory behaviour in our service. Firefighters have the right to work without fear of being mistreated because of their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability or neurodiversity - or bullied or abused while doing their job. Just as much as fire contaminants and unsafe working practices, this kind of toxic culture is a matter of health and safety in the workplace.
While some of the revelations contained in recent reports are shocking, some do not come as a surprise. Bullying, harassment and discrimination go unreported or overlooked. There is evidence that some principal managers have abused their positions and escaped accountability. Complainants have found themselves under investigation or subject to disciplinary proceedings. The FBU has long represented complainants, and our reps and officials have witnessed first-hand the failure of Fire and Rescue Service employers to properly address these issues.
We have developed a range of structures and processes internally, including creating equalities sections for Women, LGBT and Black and Ethnic Minority members. Our All Different All Equal policy sets out our commitment to equalities in our approach to casework; where necessary we have confronted discrimination and harassment in our own ranks. Some good work has already been done via the Inclusive Fire Service Group (IFSG), set up by the National Joint Council (NJC), and we believe that, through dialogue, the NJC could provide a robust and collaborative framework for future action on this subject.
However, we recognise that there is an urgent need to do more. Work is under way within the FBU to look at our record as a union, challenge our employers, and set out a path to transforming the culture of the Fire and Rescue Service. An FBU ‘LFB Culture Review Working Group’ is now meeting regularly with representatives from the FBU equalities sections and other affected groups, and we are actively consulting members both on the findings of the LFB Culture Review Report and on the wider issues.
The matters of culture and equality will be a focus of our annual conference in May, with delegates debating how to continue to drive forward an agenda into our industry.
