This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/02/review-dangerous-pervasive-bullying-essex-fire-service

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Review finds 'dangerous and pervasive bullying' at Essex fire service Review finds 'dangerous and pervasive bullying' at Essex fire service
(about 5 hours later)
An independent review of claims of intimidation at a fire service has found evidence of “dangerous and pervasive bullying”. An independent review of claims of intimidation at a fire service has found evidence of “dangerous and pervasive bullying”. The cultural review was commissioned by Essex Fire Authority last year after bullying was reported and two serving firefighters took their own lives.
The cultural review was commissioned by Essex Fire Authority last year after reports of bullying and two serving firefighters took their own lives.
The report, published on Wednesday, described the culture at the fire service as toxic and said staff did not feel safe.The report, published on Wednesday, described the culture at the fire service as toxic and said staff did not feel safe.
Acting chief fire officer Adam Eckley said Essex county fire and rescue service (ECFRS) would now work to improve working conditions. Acting chief fire officer Adam Eckley said Essex county fire and rescue service (ECFRS) would now work to improve working conditions. He said: “As a senior management team we identified a number of fundamental cultural issues that needed to be brought into the open and addressed. We welcome today’s publication of the review and we will not shy away from the findings and recommendations, however difficult that may be.
He said: “As a senior management team we identified a number of fundamental cultural issues that needed to be brought into the open and addressed. We welcome today’s publication of the review and we will not shy away from the findings and recommendations, however difficult that may be.
“We will be reviewing the report and its recommendation in the great detail it deserves and then work with the fire authority to implement a process of change. Once fully reviewed we will quickly develop a clear action plan to implement the changes that are recommended as soon as possible.”“We will be reviewing the report and its recommendation in the great detail it deserves and then work with the fire authority to implement a process of change. Once fully reviewed we will quickly develop a clear action plan to implement the changes that are recommended as soon as possible.”
The review’s author, Irene Lucas, said she had spoken to 500 people connected with the fire service. She said: “The fire service has been beset by a number of serious incidents including the suicides of two serving firefighters, allegations of bullying and intimidation, and ongoing and protracted industrial disputes.The review’s author, Irene Lucas, said she had spoken to 500 people connected with the fire service. She said: “The fire service has been beset by a number of serious incidents including the suicides of two serving firefighters, allegations of bullying and intimidation, and ongoing and protracted industrial disputes.
“The cumulative effect of all these issues, and the long-term absence of the chief fire officer, has contributed to paralysis of the service and made it more challenging for ECFRS to make the necessary organisational changes to become a fire service fit for the 21st century.”“The cumulative effect of all these issues, and the long-term absence of the chief fire officer, has contributed to paralysis of the service and made it more challenging for ECFRS to make the necessary organisational changes to become a fire service fit for the 21st century.”
She recommended the authority appoint external experts and an advisory panel to take charge for the next two years. She recommended the authority appoint external experts and an advisory panel to take charge for the next two years. “Culturally, ECFRS is a failing organisation. From its leadership to the frontline, the service is in urgent need of a radical overhaul to ensure that it is held to account, and becomes more adaptable to the needs of the 21st century, and ensures the safety and wellbeing of its employees,” Lucas said.
“Culturally, ECFRS is a failing organisation. From its leadership to the frontline, the service is in urgent need of a radical overhaul to ensure that it is held to account, and becomes more adaptable to the needs of the 21st century, and ensures the safety and wellbeing of its employees,” Lucas said. “The organisational culture in ECFRS is toxic. There is dangerous and pervasive bullying and intimidation and this may place employees and the communities that they serve at risk.” Lucas said she had seen evidence of an “appetite for change” at all levels, with firefighters tired of industrial action and loss of earnings.
“The organisational culture in ECFRS is toxic. There is dangerous and pervasive bullying and intimidation and this may place employees and the communities that they serve at risk.” In a statement, the fire minister, Mark Francois, said: “This report raises some very serious issues for Essex county fire and rescue service and authority. I have today written to the authority expressing my deep concern and expect to see a clear and robust action plan put in place to address them.
Lucas said she had seen evidence of an “appetite for change” at all levels, with firefighters tired of industrial action and loss of earnings. “We will be monitoring this situation very closely and reserve the right to intervene directly should we not be satisfied that improvements are happening quickly in the weeks ahead.”