This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-64484205
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Dorset and Wiltshire fire chief vows action over dead photo claims | Dorset and Wiltshire fire chief vows action over dead photo claims |
| (4 months later) | |
| Chief fire officer Ben Ansell was questioned about an email from a former member of staff | Chief fire officer Ben Ansell was questioned about an email from a former member of staff |
| Chief fire officer Ben Ansell was questioned about an email from a former member of staff | Chief fire officer Ben Ansell was questioned about an email from a former member of staff |
| A fire chief has promised a full independent inquiry into claims firefighters took photos of car crash victims and shared them on WhatsApp. | A fire chief has promised a full independent inquiry into claims firefighters took photos of car crash victims and shared them on WhatsApp. |
| Male firefighters at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service (DWFS) are alleged to have made degrading comments about the women in a group chat. | Male firefighters at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service (DWFS) are alleged to have made degrading comments about the women in a group chat. |
| A female firefighter told ITV news she had heard comments about the type of underwear women had been wearing. | A female firefighter told ITV news she had heard comments about the type of underwear women had been wearing. |
| Chief fire officer Ben Ansell called such behaviour "completely abhorrent". | Chief fire officer Ben Ansell called such behaviour "completely abhorrent". |
| Several female firefighters also told ITV News of persistent sexual harassment at their stations, including claims a male firefighter demanded sexual favours at the scene of a fire. | Several female firefighters also told ITV News of persistent sexual harassment at their stations, including claims a male firefighter demanded sexual favours at the scene of a fire. |
| DWFS is commissioning an independent inquiry. | DWFS is commissioning an independent inquiry. |
| One female firefighter (not pictured) reportedly said she was "disgusted" by the behaviour of some male colleagues | One female firefighter (not pictured) reportedly said she was "disgusted" by the behaviour of some male colleagues |
| In an interview with the BBC, Mr Ansell said: "I'm shocked, saddened, and horrified. These are truly serious allegations and we take them incredibly seriously." | In an interview with the BBC, Mr Ansell said: "I'm shocked, saddened, and horrified. These are truly serious allegations and we take them incredibly seriously." |
| He said the service was reaching out "particularly to our 264 female members of staff" and he was "absolutely determined professionally and personally to address these issues". | He said the service was reaching out "particularly to our 264 female members of staff" and he was "absolutely determined professionally and personally to address these issues". |
| Mr Ansell said the service would "follow the facts rigorously and thoroughly". | Mr Ansell said the service would "follow the facts rigorously and thoroughly". |
| "We will do the right thing, up to and including dismissal," he said. "This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable." | "We will do the right thing, up to and including dismissal," he said. "This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable." |
| He also said the "vast majority" of staff were "good people doing a good job working really hard in challenging circumstances". | He also said the "vast majority" of staff were "good people doing a good job working really hard in challenging circumstances". |
| During the interview, BBC correspondent Dan Johnson showed Mr Ansell an 18-month-old email addressed to him from a former member of staff who quit because of a toxic culture, harassment and bullying. | During the interview, BBC correspondent Dan Johnson showed Mr Ansell an 18-month-old email addressed to him from a former member of staff who quit because of a toxic culture, harassment and bullying. |
| Mr Ansell insisted there had been significant training of staff since then and said the service had implemented the National Fire Chiefs Council core code of ethics. | Mr Ansell insisted there had been significant training of staff since then and said the service had implemented the National Fire Chiefs Council core code of ethics. |
| Dorset Police said it would lead inquiries into the allegations, after consulting Wiltshire Police. | Dorset Police said it would lead inquiries into the allegations, after consulting Wiltshire Police. |
| A spokesperson added the details in the ITV report were of a "very concerning nature" which "understandably caused concern amongst the public and especially families of victims". | A spokesperson added the details in the ITV report were of a "very concerning nature" which "understandably caused concern amongst the public and especially families of victims". |
| "We share that concern and will robustly investigate any information or evidence that is shared with us." | "We share that concern and will robustly investigate any information or evidence that is shared with us." |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Sexual harassment | Sexual harassment |
| Dorset | |
| Bournemouth | Bournemouth |
| Salisbury | Salisbury |