Peter Lazenby
This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
A CULTURE of bullying, harassment and discrimination against firefighters was exposed by government inspectors in a damning report published yesterday.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found that in almost every case the culprits were more senior in rank than the victims.
The inspectors said that at one fire and rescue service, Northamptonshire, almost a quarter of firefighters had been victims in the last 12 months.
Inspectors also criticised excessive overtime being worked at Northamptonshire.
Their report states that, “overall, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service requires improvement at looking after its people” and that the service “is failing to implement objectives outlined in its strategies to make sure it effectively looks after its people.”
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said that the service relied so heavily on overtime that firefighters were at risk of exhaustion, adding that management was “failing in its duty to protect the health and safety of firefighters by not managing the excessive hours they are requested to work.”
Ben Selby, FBU executive council member for the East Midlands, said: “This report is utterly devastating for the heads of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“They’ve left their employees in a situation where they are subjected to bullying, harassment and discrimination.
“It is absolutely unacceptable. The fact that firefighters dare not raise issues only adds to what is an utterly awful situation.
“Exhausted firefighters are not able to safely respond to emergencies. For years now, we have been raising this, all to no avail.”
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.
