Firefighters let down by bosses, say politicians

Politicians say they want to see "radical steps" to change the way Wales' fire services are run

Firefighters have been "let down" by those in charge of the fire service, a committee of politicians has said.

An investigation was launched after a damning report into the culture at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and concerns about the man brought in as interim chief fire officer, Stuart Millington.

The Equality and Social Justice Committee found that fire authorities were "not up to the task" of governing and confidence was "undermined" by Mr Millington's appointment who was facing his own employment tribunal over bullying allegations.

The Welsh government said it would "consider the findings carefully as part of a wider programme of governance reform and cultural improvement".

Committee chairwoman Jenny Rathbone urged the Welsh government to take "radical steps", saying urgent change was needed to "restore faith so all staff feel safe in the workplace".

A review of the culture at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service found a "sexist and misogynist culture in many places".

The Welsh government installed four commissioners to oversee the service instead of the Fire Authority and those commissioners appointed Mr Millington.

This move caused immediate concern among some firefighters, with members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in south Wales passing a vote of no confidence in the appointment.

Cerith Griffiths, Wales representative on the FBU executive committee previously said things had got "much worse" since Mr Millington started.

The committee is now recommending that Fire Authorities are reformed, with Ms Rathbone saying she was "disturbed by how many people at the top of the current governance system didn’t seem to be aware of how serious the problem is".

It considered the appointment of Mr Millington showed a "lack of clarity and defensive tone" from witnesses responding to the concerns raised.

This, the committee members found, could "reinforce negative perceptions about senior management’s commitment to improving culture in the service".

The report recommends the Welsh government works closely with the fire commissioners in south Wales to bring in staff and experience from outside Wales into the key roles responsible for changing the culture of the organisation.

Applications for the appointment of a Chief Officer for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service closed last month.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, said the report "confirms serious failings of leadership at the very top".

"Parachuting in managers with no experience of firefighting will only further entrench a lack of confidence in leadership," he said.

Cerith Griffiths, the union's executive council member for Wales, said firefighters "feel ignored and silenced by those at the top".

"For far too long, concerns have been dismissed or met with hostility," he added.