A fire chief has said he will resign after the publication of a report into his service’s culture.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer, Huw Jakeway, said he was “profoundly sorry” to colleagues who had “negative experiences”.
The review into the service’s culture was led by Fenella Morris KC and the report includes more than 80 recommendations.
They include a campaign “to make it clear that sexual harassment of female members of staff… is unacceptable”.
The report found there were “men in all parts of the service who message women in the service inappropriately, often to initiate a sexual relationship”.
The panel became aware of “a number of cases of domestic abuse by members of the service”, with the behaviour “more prevalent than we anticipated”.
During one investigation into allegations of domestic abuse, the panel heard she had been told by the investigation officer he “did not need to hear about her personal life because it would drag up emotions”.
It is the panel’s view that a “boys’ club” exists within the service, “especially at the top”.
‘Change in leadership’
Mr Jakeway said there were “too many examples within the report that do not reflect positively on the service”.
Having served as chief fire officer for more than 12 years, Mr Jakeway said it was now time for a “change in leadership”.
He has informed the fire authority he intends to retire but that it would “not detract from or delay the work to address the recommendations”.
“I am confident through a collective commitment across the service and with assistance from partners, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service will emerge with a more positive and inclusive culture,” he wrote in an open letter.
Ms Morris wrote in the report she understood the service had “refused to publish a photo of its firefighters taking the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement”.
“We do not understand that stance and are concerned that such resistance sends the message that the service is not truly committed to combating racism,” she said.
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The independent panel saw a reference to one manager having said they were “fed up of management pussy footing around mental health”.
The panel was also told that “a photograph of a gay member of staff was put on a fairy and placed on top of a Christmas tree”.
While the staff member in question considered this to be a “sign of endearment, affection and support”, another individual found it to be “offensive and inappropriate conduct related to sexual orientation”.
