'Shropshire's firefighters deserve better' says union after damning report slates county fire service's culture

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) comments come after a report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said Shropshire's fire service “requires improvement” in six key areas, and is “inadequate” at managing its resources.

The inspectorate raised concerns about the performance of the service in managing resources to keep people safe from fire and other risks.

Its report also criticises issues around the scrutiny of financial decisions, transparency around the funding of capital projects, and performance management arrangements. 

HMICFRS also concluded that the service hasn’t made enough progress on equality, diversity and inclusion, and that firefighters lack confidence in processes tackling bullying, harassment and discrimination.

It said that despite commissioning an independent review into its culture, the service has failed to progress any of the recommendations.  

It comes after chief fire officer Simon Hardiman recently returned to work, having received a written warning following an investigation into allegations over sending sexist messages on WhatsApp.

Andrew Scattergood, FBU executive council member for the West Midlands said:  "This damning report into Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service must be a wake-up call for the fire authority.

"Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is failing women firefighters.  

“As the inspectorate identifies, firefighters do not have trust that bullying, harassment and discrimination are being addressed."

He added: “Firefighters work tirelessly to keep people safe, while the fire service has been cut to the bone. It is unacceptable that concerns have had to be raised about mismanagement of scant resources. Shropshire’s firefighters deserve better. 

“The fire authority has a duty to firefighters and the public: the urgent question is whether they will take any action to transform the service.” 

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “All firefighters must be able to go to work without fear of bullying, harassment and discrimination. This is a matter of equality, but also of health and safety. It is absolutely unacceptable that Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to fail women firefighters. 

“The inspectorate’s report also raises the alarm around resourcing. Since 2010, central government funding for the fire and rescue service has been slashed by 30 per cent. Combined with failures of leadership, this is a recipe for disaster. 

“The fire authority and senior fire service management in Shropshire must take action to tackle misogyny and address these serious issues.  

"The Fire Brigades Union also calls on the Labour government to invest in fire and rescue services, and to set national standards – including on issues of equalities.”