London Fire Brigade is put into special measures by watchdog and will face ‘enhanced level of monitoring’ – amid concerns over ‘discrimination and bullying’
- London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been put into special measures by its watchdog
- It comes amid claims of ‘unacceptable behaviour’, discrimination and bullying
- A report found it has ‘dangerous levels of ingrained prejudice against women’
- Colleagues from minority backgrounds are ‘frequently the target of racist abuse’
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been put into special measures by a watchdog amid concerns over ‘unacceptable behaviour’ including discrimination and bullying.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said LFB will now face an ‘enhanced level of monitoring’ by inspectors.
It comes after an independent review published last month found the fire service has ‘dangerous levels of ingrained prejudice against women’, while colleagues from minority backgrounds are ‘frequently the target of racist abuse’.
The watchdog continuously monitors the performance of fire services in England and Wales. When concerns arise from its inspections, brigades are moved into what is called the ‘engage’ process, known as being placed in special measures.
The London Fire Brigade houses a toxic culture of bullying, racism and misogyny, an inquiry has found
It said LFB has been put into special measures ‘because there is cumulative evidence from its last inspection and afterwards of unacceptable behaviour within the brigade, including discrimination and bullying. This was reported as a cause of concern by the inspectorate in July this year.’
The values and behaviours the brigade ‘aspires to are not always demonstrated by senior leaders, and the brigade needs to do more to demonstrate progress in improving its culture’, the inspectorate added.
Inspector of fire and rescue services Matt Parr said: ‘We should recognise that London Fire Brigade’s recent cultural review was commissioned by the brigade, whose leadership has accepted its findings without reservation.
‘However, it is clear that the behavioural problems we highlighted earlier this year are deep-seated and have not improved.
‘The ‘engage’ process provides additional scrutiny of the brigade’s plans, and support for them from across the fire sector.
‘We will now examine London Fire Brigade’s improvement plans more frequently and more intrusively, and work closely with the brigade to monitor its progress.’
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: ‘I recognised that LFB’s culture needed to improve, which is why I commissioned the independent culture review and took immediate actions when it was published last month.
‘Our external complaints service is supporting colleagues, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment and bullying means all staff know what behaviours aren’t tolerated.
‘Change is happening now, and the face-to-face meetings I’ve been having with firefighters and other staff shows there is a passion to make sure our culture works for everyone.
‘We welcome the additional support as part of the inspectorate’s enhanced monitoring programme and I look forward to working with them and other partners to monitor progress and change in the future.’
It comes just a day after another fire service – South Wales Fire and Rescue Service – is now facing an independent review following revelations two firemen kept their jobs after sexually harassing colleagues. Its chief Huw Jakeway yesterday said the news left him ‘truly shocked and horrified’.
One victim, Shirley, who works as cleaner at the Ely station in Cardiff, said Watch Manager John Morgan exposed himself to her on night shifts in a years-long campaign of harassment.
One victim, Shirley (pictured), who works as cleaner at the Ely station in Cardiff, said Watch Manager John Morgan exposed himself to her on night shifts in a years-long campaign of harassment
She said she plucked up the courage to report him when his behaviour got progressively worse, to the point where she feared she would be raped.
She told ITV News, who conducted the investigation, that he would regularly ‘strip off’ with his full erection on show, adding: ‘He was running up and down the corridor at one time naked. And he was getting closer and closer to me as he got more daring.
‘I couldn’t get away from it. If I went one way, he’d find a way to find me and expose himself.’
Another victim, who has not waived her right to anonymity, was domestically abused by her fireman partner who also worked at the service.
Despite his conviction for assault, he was allowed to continue working there for years before being dismissed over another misconduct allegation.
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