Women at Avon Fire and Rescue describe the culture as “sexist.”

Women working at Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) described a widespread culture of sexism and bullying.

It comes after a female firefighter won an employment tribunal on the grounds of sex discrimination last year.

The BBC heard complaints from current and former firefighters. There were also several important inspectors' reports on duty.

AFRS says it is taking “decisive action” to change its culture.

The BBC spoke to more than a dozen former and current serving firefighters who described being subjected to sexist comments, bullying, a glass ceiling for women and a “climate of fear” around reporting their concerns.

Sasha Acheson, a former England rugby player and AFRS firefighter, says she is “absolutely devastated” by her experience at AFRS.

She won a landmark employment tribunal case in December 2023 against her former employer. The judge upheld her claims of sex discrimination, victimization and harassment based on sexual orientation.

The culture is one in which women are often objectified, she said. Shortly after joining AFRS in 2021, she was terrified of responding to a new firefighter.

“The first thing my manager said was: 'Is she a good fit?'

“Another girl came out in her gym kit and was told she should have been sweating it out in the kitchen.”

She claims she was regularly belittled, subjected to sexual comments and, at one point, almost assaulted.

“I actually said to my staff manager at the time: 'I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but the way you're talking to or about women is not acceptable,'” she said.

“He just flipped over, walked towards me and was cursing at me. I was walking backwards and he was honestly going to hit me.”

She also believed her career had been derailed by managers' failure to submit paperwork for training courses that would have helped her win promotion.

Mrs Acheson claimed that a toxic atmosphere had developed against her. She left AFRS in 2022 and her mental health was in tatters.

“My family and friends always said I was the strongest person they knew, and I wasn't at the time. I was having nightmares. I was in a daze. I had a panic attack, I'd never had a panic attack,” she said. Panic attack before.”

After her resignation, she lived in a caravan for fifteen months while she worked and tried to rebuild her life.

She is waiting to hear about compensation, after her victory in the labor court.

Alex Sinise said she had a similar experience at AFRS between 2017 and 2022, and said the culture of sexism was evident from the beginning.

She said: “I felt completely ashamed. Comments were made about my buttocks, my appearance, what I was wearing. Pornographic material was shown in front of me.”

“I was told I wasn't good enough because I was female… One of the comments I received was: 'You'll have to work twice as hard as any man to be considered his equal.'

“I was told that the only reason they invited me to practice was because they wanted me to stand there and look pretty.”

She said she was left feeling worthless. She added: “I was regularly humiliated. I felt belittled and like I didn't deserve anything.”

“I used to get so anxious about going into the pits at night because I was thinking: ‘What’s in store for me tonight?’ I really lost my confidence and felt afraid of this job that I loved.”

She moved to a new station in 2019 but left completely in 2022. She said she believes there is a glass ceiling for firefighters at AFRS.

She added: “The decision was almost out of my hands due to not wanting to discuss flexible working. Being a single mother. I physically couldn't handle it anymore.”

The BBC also spoke to two firefighters who claimed senior management did not take reports of sexual misconduct seriously enough.

James Coomber worked at AFRS for 16 years until 2023. At one stage, he told managers he believed a colleague had likely committed rape.

“The next interaction I had was indirectly from our HR department to say they heard I was spreading malicious rumors and could effectively face disciplinary action,” he said.

One firefighter, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she had a similar experience.

She said she had heard disturbing reports of a colleague's sexual behavior outside of work, but was asked not to discuss “sensitive and highly confidential allegations” or “spread rumours” because that “could be construed as harassment.” [or] bullying”.

Culture at Avon Fire and Rescue Service has been in the spotlight since 2017, when a Home Office investigation found a perception among staff that bullying and harassment was endemic.

The latest inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), published in November 2023, found the service inadequate in “promoting the right values ​​and culture”.

Simon Shelton, chief fire officer at Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said the service had made some progress in taking steps to improve the culture.

“It is very sad to hear that this is the experience of former or current employees of our fire and rescue service,” he said.

“We have had instances in the past where some workplace behaviors were not what we expected.

“But when we were made aware of these matters, we took decisive action using the right policies and the right procedures. To be able to act proportionately and appropriately, to deal with them and make sure there is a clear message that such behaviors are unacceptable.” “This was not expected in our workplace,” he added.

AFRS provided the BBC with a list of more than 20 initiatives it recently launched, aiming to change the organization's culture.

It included a confidential online reporting platform, a new professional standards board, and a review of disciplinary policy.

Senior managers have been trained in leadership and unconscious bias training, and regular employee surveys are conducted. All employees must now also pass DBS checks.

However, a current female firefighter, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC: “The culture remains as poor as inspectors have found time and time again. And every time the department issues a statement saying it is historic. It clearly is not. No one is listening.” “. “There is still a climate of fear that prevents us from speaking out.”

Another current employee said: “I was bullied and belittled by a manager. The fire service is like an abusive family, as no one talks about the problem. There are constant comments about women, and no one ever gets called out on it.” “.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service isn't the only service with issues with its culture.

In February, the Welsh Government announced it would take over the running of the South Wales Fire Service in the wake of a sex discrimination scandal.

A report released in March 2023 by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found complaints from staff about homophobic, sexist and racist behavior in a quarter of the English fire services.

The Home Affairs Select Committee recently held two evidence sessions examining the culture of the fire and rescue services.

Secretary of State for Crime, Police and Fire Chris Philp told the committee: “A lot of progress has been made in the last two or three years. This is certainly accepted at senior levels in the fire service, but more work needs to be done.” Done.”

Simon Shelton, Avon's chief fire officer, said: “I don't want to tarnish the entire workforce. I work with some fantastic men and women across the organization who are doing everything they can to provide the best possible service to our community.”

“Culture takes a long time to change. What we need is everyone's participation.”