A “deeply troubling” report detailing unacceptable racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour in fire services across England has been released – just a week after a North East brigade was hit with serious allegations.
Male firefighters joking with a female colleague that they were “going to rape her” and a senior official using a racial slur were among the harrowing tales of bullying, harassment and discrimination uncovered by an investigation looking into the culture of all 44 fire and rescue services in the country. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) warned that “recent headlines about misconduct may be just the tip of the iceberg”.
It comes after it emerged last week that the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service had allowed a firefighter to be promoted while he was under investigation by the police for an alleged rape. An ITV News report also contained accusations from a female former firefighter in Tyne and Wear who claimed she was bullied and sexually harassed by colleagues, including having her equipment tampered with and being left alone in a fire.
