London Fire Brigade has seen a 'lack of change'

A former firefighter said there had been a "lack of change" at the London Fire Brigade (LFB) a year after a damning review into its culture.

LFB was subject to an "enhanced level of monitoring" after an independent review found it was "institutionally misogynist and racist".

Gareth Dawes said "negative experiences" continued to be happening.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said he was "working hard" to improve the culture at the brigade.

Mr Dawes, who left the London Fire Brigade in September last year, told BBC Radio London that the review had created "hope" for many people, but the issues were not being properly addressed.

"I think they don't understand the gravity of the issue. I think it's very much focussed on bad apples and singular individuals rather than the whole organisation," he said.

"It's a finger pointing exercise where they're relying on interpersonal racism between people rather than looking at the fact that institutional racism… is a corrosive disease that impacts the whole organisation."

Mr Dawes called for a "complete restructure in the leadership".

"The leadership has failed for years and years so what we need to look at is not just a change in singular personnel but change in the whole outlook in how this brigade is run," he added.

The review found a black firefighter had had a noose put by his locker, and a female had received a video of a colleague exposing himself.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said LFB was moved into the "engage" phase, a category used when there is a cause of concern.

It said this was "because there is cumulative evidence from its last inspection, and afterwards, of unacceptable behaviour within the brigade, including discrimination and bullying".

On Tuesday, Mr Roe told the Fire Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee at City Hall that since the review, there had been 13 dismissals.

"I hope all 13 can end up on a barred list if the government can support us with more legislation around the regulation of the profession," he said.

Further actions including sanctions, demotions and written warnings had also been issued, he said.

Mr Roe said a third investigation had been launched following the death of firefighter Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit who took his own life in August 2020.

"This is the third time that we have gone back to that case which speaks to the historic failure of process and analysis," Mr Roe said.

"I don't think it's fair to the family of Jaden, I don't think it's fair to anyone involved and we should have done it right the first time."

Mr Roe said the report was being finalised, and would be presented to the LFB within the next two weeks.

Mr Roe said he was committed to a "culture change" within the brigade and was working to create an "inclusive workplace".

As part of this, the brigade was introducing a new Professional Standards Unit, a first for a UK fire and rescue service, he said.

Mr Roe added: "We have listened to staff and the communities we serve as we've delivered change, including reviewing our policies and rethinking our uniform.

"Where behaviour has fallen short of our expectations, staff have been disciplined and investigations continue."

He said there had also been fewer reports of workplace bullying.

The LFB added that 130 of its leaders had completed inclusive leadership training, and 800 leaders would receive mental health training to raise awareness of stress, anxiety and depression.

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