Local government leaders have branded the findings of racist, homophobic and misogynistic behaviour in fire services as ‘shocking’ and ‘unacceptable’.
Nick Chard of the Local Government Association (LGA) called for urgent action to improve the working culture in the fire and rescue service.
In their report the constabulary and fire and rescue inspectors said staff at a quarter of services in England reported racist, homophobic and misogynistic behaviour in their ranks in the past five years.
They found bullying allegations in all services and said this could be ‘the tip of the iceberg’.
The Government called the findings ‘deeply concerning’ and pledged to address the issues working with the Inspectorate and fire chiefs.
Cllr Chard of the fire standards board at the LGA said the association would help fire and rescue authorities in acting on the recommendations in the report.
‘The findings of this report, including shocking examples of bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable,’ he said.
‘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.’
