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A new report has concluded that ‘radical action’ is needed to stop racism, misogyny and other forms of criminal and unacceptable behaviour among fire and rescue services.
According to the Independent Challenge and Support Panel Closing Report, too many people working within fire and rescue services are being let down by ‘poor cultures, inconsistent standards and inappropriate behaviours that too often remain unchallenged.’
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) requested the establishment of the independent Challenge and Support Panel in July 2023, to provide external scrutiny, challenge, support and
advice on the NFCC’s culture and inclusion improvement work, including delivery against its Culture Action Plan.
The report outlines that any action taken will need to disrupt and challenge more traditional ways of working and ask fire service leaders to work differently and outside of their familiar patterns. ‘This change is critical to ensuring that FRSs are open and inclusive places to work, better reflecting the diverse communities they serve,’ the report notes.
“When we formed this panel 18 months ago, we committed to putting people before systems and institutions, ensuring that victims and those with lived experience were at the heart of our discussions.
“As part of our scrutiny, we have engaged openly with NFCC leadership, Chief Fire Officers, senior leaders and fire sector partners, as well as hearing testimony from FRS staff. We have also visited three fire and rescue services and seen first-hand the positive leadership and hard work being done to improve culture and inclusion.
“Despite progress, we are clear that further action is still needed to root out racism, misogyny, and other unacceptable behaviours in the workplace. This will require leaders and staff to challenge traditional ways of working and embrace tangible action, going beyond rhetoric. NFCC, Government, and other national FRS bodies, have a key leadership role in driving this change, and we urge that culture and inclusion remain a top priority. Our final report outlines clear calls to action, and we look forward to continuing to see meaningful progress in the years ahead.”
Independent Challenge and Support Panel Chair, Anthea Sully.
Responding to the report, NFCC Chair, Mark Hardingham, said: “NFCC fully accepts all the calls to action set out in the report and we are committed to delivering against them in partnership with fire and rescue services and national sector partners.
“While progress has been made by fire and rescue services, and by NFCC against our Culture Action Plan, there is still much to do. Our efforts to improve culture and inclusion must be continually embedded into everything we do. We acknowledge the dedication of those driving positive change in fire and rescue services, but we also recognise that inclusion is not yet felt by everyone, and change is not always happening fast or consistently enough.”
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