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After a challenging period that has seen the departure of the Chief Fire Officer and the removal of the Fire Authority by the Welsh Government, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has marked 12 months since the publication of an independent report into its culture and shared the progress made under its new leadership.
The report into the culture of the service carried out by Fenella Morris KC found an organisation riven with bullying and harassment and through its 185 pages, she found a ‘patriarchal mentality’ with ‘sexist and misogynistic behaviours.’
With the departure of Huw Jakeway, the former CFO and the Fire Authority, four independent Commissioners were appointed by the Welsh Government and a new chief, Fin Monahan, started in November.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, normally focused on fire and rescue services in England, was asked by the Commissioners to assess the service and it is due to report in the coming months.
A Transformation Programme is in place to deal with the many recommendations in the Morris Report, with Dominic Mika brought in to oversee that as Director of Strategic Change and Transformation. With nine strands, the work known internally as Step Forward and is aiming “to transform ways of working and build strong foundations for an even better future.” Last month, the service published its Culture Statement setting out expectations of behaviours by all levels of staff.
As the service marked 12 months since the publication of the Morris Report, Fin Monahan said: “Since joining, I have prioritised visible leadership, spending long days engaging with staff across different watches and departments. I want my team to know that I am accessible and that they can speak to me directly.”
He has introduced a confidential email system that allows staff to report concerns about bullying, harassment or any “discomfort.” He said that it has been invaluable and helped him to connect with staff and take “meaningful action.”
“While not all issues have been resolved, we have made significant progress, simply by fostering open communication and ensuring that people feel heard. When staff see their chief listening and taking action, it makes a real difference.
“The Fenella Morris report was a wake-up call, and our people do not want to be in the media for the wrong reasons—they recognise that transformation is necessary.”
Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan.
A strategic plan is in development and the chief says he will soon present this to the Commissioners.
This update about progress in South Wales comes shortly after separate reports into the culture of the fire and rescue services in North and Mid and West Wales found similar issues. Read more here – ‘Bullying culture’ in Welsh fire services, say damning new reports.
