Managers shouted at struggling firefighters, report finds

Some fire service managers shouted at firefighters if they and others were struggling and “inappropriate and racist language” was sometimes used by other staff, a report found.

Inspectors discovered Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s performance was adequate in most areas but its culture must improve.

They said its values were not demonstrated by all staff and that some told them they regarded increasing awareness of diversity as a "box-ticking exercise".

The service’s chief fire officer said the safety and welfare of all of its staff “must remain a constant focus” but a union said “cuts and failures of leadership” had taken their toll.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) visited the fire service in January, having last inspected it in December 2021.

The watchdog said the service was adequate in seven areas but ranked it as requiring improvement in its use of resources, promoting values and culture, promoting fairness and diversity, and managing performance.

Inspectors found the service had been without a performance monitoring system for staff since March 2023.

Bad behaviour was “not widespread” but some staff “didn’t meet the standards expected”.

A member of staff told HMICFRS they were told to stop raising issues, and inspectors found there was “little evidence” of action being taken over concerns.

They found some firefighters did not have the confidence to challenge poor behaviour or report it to line managers.

Some managers were struggling with “excessive workloads” and staff had “lost confidence” in feedback processes.

Only 41% of those questioned said the service's promotion process was fair and it was found to not manage temporary promotions well.

Matt Wrack, the Fire Brigades Union's general secretary, said fire services in the UK were in “desperate shape”.

“The HMICFRS’ latest report reveals the toll this has taken on Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“Firefighters have the right to work without fear of being mistreated, and yet fire service leaders are failing to address systemic issues of discrimination, harassment, and bullying," Mr Wrack said.

“Chief fire officers must listen to firefighters and start investing in the service.”

Rob MacDougall, the service's chief fire officer, said there were “many positive findings” in the report, including its “performance in the extremely important role of keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks”.

“Collectively fire and rescue services across the country need to make improvements, including us, and we have been focussing on these since inspectors visited seven months ago."

He added: “Since January, we have already completed work to address many of the areas of improvement identified in the report, including our new policy on unwanted fire signals, the roll out of our fire evacuation management tracker, and the assurance of fire protection visits to businesses.

“We already have improvements plans that will resolve many of the areas identified.

“We have ambitious plans to improve our service and it is really positive that the inspectorate has recognised how this will make things better for the public and our people.”

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