“The findings of this report, including shocking examples of bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect at work and to feel safe and there is simply no place for this kind of behaviour in our society."
Responding to the HMICFRS fire services report, Cllr Nick Chard, the LGA's Fire Services Management Committee’s member of the Fire Standards Board, said:
“We’d like to thank HMICFRS for this important piece of work.
“The findings of this report, including shocking examples of bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect at work and to feel safe and there is simply no place for this kind of behaviour in our society.
“While the majority of fire and rescue staff act with integrity and are held in high regard by the public for their tireless efforts to help save lives and prevent fires, it is clear that much more needs to be done urgently to improve the working culture in the fire and rescue service.
“As outlined in ‘Fit for the Future’, the LGA is committed to ensuring the sector has an inclusive and welcoming culture. We will work with partners to assist Fire and Rescue Authorities in acting on the recommendations in the report and embed the Core Code of Ethics, so staff feel able to speak out, raise any concerns they have and get the support they need. We will also assist authorities in delivering the improvement strategies they developed as a result of the work of the Inclusive Fire Service Group.”