AN INVESTIGATION into Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service (MAWWFR) found that the vast majority of staff and former staff described the service as an ‘operational boys’ club,’ where personal connections with senior leaders fostered favouritism and nepotism.
The investigation followed a series of hard-hitting articles by Herald reporter Carli Newell, who peeled back the layers of corporate misconduct and institutional bullying in MAWWFR.
The report follows the latest in a series of inquiries into the culture and operations of Welsh emergency services. Every report so far published has identified serious issues with toxic and abusive internal cultures, allegations of favouritism, and bullying behaviours.
“THE BOYS’ CLUB”
Although some staff agreed that things had improved over the last three years, there was no clear consensus about whether that had been the case.
One Service member said: “There is a pernicious cliquey culture within the organisation. Favouritism and nepotism thrive. It’s hard to nail down or pinpoint, but if you are friends with the right people, it makes you untouchable. It’s a boys club.”
Another alleged that participation in certain clubs within the service was regarded as a pathway to advancement, saying, “I have observed that individuals who are part of specific groups, such as the triathlon club, often receive preferential treatment.”
A report published about North Wales Fire & Rescue Service published at the same time as that covering MAWWFR identified similar problems in that organisation and echoed a previous report into South Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
Unsurprisingly, both reports (published on Wednesday, February 6) also found that senior staff members were more positive about the service’s internal culture than junior staff.
FIRE CHIEF APOLOGISES
In a statement issued following the Report’s publication, Mid and West Wales Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM responded: “Firstly, and most importantly, I would like to apologise unreservedly to any of my colleagues who have been subject to bullying, harassment or discrimination in any form. This is wholly unacceptable and does not align with the values and behaviours that we espouse or endorse as a Service.
“Secondly, I accept the findings and recommendations within the review which support my ambition to improve the culture of our service, which was one of my key aims when I was appointed as Chief Fire Officer. Whilst we have evidently made progress to address these issues it is equally clear that we need to do more to ensure that our staff feel safe, supported and valued.”
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Fire Authority Chair Councillor Gwynfor Thomas praised Roger Thomas for his efforts to turn around the toxic culture within MAWWFR, adding: “Members of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority are saddened to read the findings of the independent culture review of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
“We are humbled by people’s courage in giving open, honest and challenging feedback. Thanks to those who contributed, we can see the urgency with which we must act to tackle poor culture and behaviour where it exists.”
UNSURPRISING & DISTURBING FINDINGS
Jenny Rathbone MS, the Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Equality & Social Justice Committee, said: “Following the publication of the Committee’s report “Sound the Alarm” in June last year, I am disturbed by the reports of bullying and lack of faith in leadership across both services. Unfortunately, I am not surprised as they mirror the problems disclosed by the Morris Report into South Wales Fire and Rescue Service almost exactly one year ago.
“It’s good that leaders of both North Wales and Mid & West Wales FRS have accepted the findings and apologised to their staff.
“However, the Welsh Government must now take radical steps to improve the governance structures at the top of all of Wales’s fire services.”
Gareth Tovey, the Fire Brigade Union’s executive council member for Wales, echoed Jenny Rathbone’s sentiments. Saying: “Fire services in Wales are in desperate need of lasting change at the top, and the Welsh government must listen to the voice of the frontline.
“We cannot expect the same leaderships who have presided over these problems to solve them – and the FBU is ready to play a leading role in transforming our service.”
Mr Tovey continued: “Senior leaders in Mid and West Wales continue to preside over a ‘boys club’’, resisting change and creating a culture of fear and mistrust. It is shocking and unacceptable that 10% of women have reported experiencing sexual harassment.
“Bullying and harassment continue to be widespread, experienced or witnessed by around half of survey respondents in both services.
“Firefighters must be able to trust that they will be protected from mistreatment at work, that processes are fair, and leaders are held to account.”
SERVICE NEEDS IMMEDIATE REFORM
Sioned Williams, the Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Social Justice, said: “Plaid Cymru called for this inquiry, and it seems that we were right to do so. It’s devastating to see the same toxic culture rooted in these fire services, as was with the other service we heard from last year.
“A key issue here is the inaction of the Welsh Government over many years to reform the governance of fire and rescue services.
“What we’re seeing in the culture reviews are the damning consequences of Labour’s failure to deliver the reform and the detrimental effect that’s had on staff.
“Action must be taken to ensure that the individuals working in our fire services can provide the crucial service they do in a safe environment, free from this deep-rooted and toxic behaviour.”
Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Equalities and Social Justice, Dr Altaf Hussain, demanded immediate action on the issues disclosed in the report.
Dr Hussain said: “The extent of bullying, harassment and discrimination within the fire service identified within the report is shocking.
“This behaviour is wholly unacceptable, and the courageous individuals who came forward must be commended. These brave individuals who serve our communities deserve respect, fairness, and support—not a toxic workplace.
“The Welsh Labour Government must ensure those who dedicate their lives to protecting others are safeguarded from inappropriate behaviour.”
“I EXPECT CLEAR AND DECISIVE ACTION”
A written statement from Jayne Bryant, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, noted the report’s “concerning findings” and described them as “incredibly worrying behaviours which are unacceptable in any workplace.”
Ms Bryant sought to downplay the exceptional levels of toxicity within Wales’s emergency services by saying: “Similar concerns have been expressed by employees of the Fire and Rescue Services in other parts of Wales and across the UK.”
The Minister continued: “I have met with the Chairs of both Fire and Rescue Authorities and both Chief Fire Officers to discuss how they plan to address the report’s findings, and I am grateful for their positive engagement so far. During these meetings, I set out my expectation that clear and decisive action should be taken immediately to dismantle these damaging cultures and ensure staff feel safe and valued in their workplace.”
However, the Minister glossed over calls for urgent reform, adding: “I expect both Chairs and Chiefs to act urgently and purposefully in addressing the issues raised in the reports and support their staff. I will monitor the situation closely and urgently work to establish how best to achieve and sustain cultural change across the Fire and Rescue Service.”
Although the Welsh Government has firmly placed the onus of change upon the services and their authorities, the question remains open as to why such cultures grew and why nothing was done about them before. While institutional resistance to change and challenge is undeniable, ministers appear reluctant to address it for fear of rocking the boat or attracting negative political blowback. While the Welsh Government controls the purse strings and imposes performance targets, it is reluctant to accept its oversight role for failings that happen on its watch. That approach is consistent across Wales’s public services. It allows the inference to be drawn that ministers are either being wilfully blind to issues within public services – in this instance, particularly emergency services – or are passively complicit in covering them up.
