CFS firefighters reveal management’s questionable disciplinary procedures to include ‘threatening’ tactics

Volunteer firefighters were “intimidated, frightened and bullied” in a session that was supposed to build a positive culture in their brigade, a parliamentary committee has heard.

Volunteer firefighters at an Adelaide Hills brigade say they were “intimidated, frightened and bullied” by a third party consultant employed by the CFS following an undefined “serious incident” among their unit, a Parliamentary Committee has heard.

Bridgewater firefighter, elected general member and appointed wellbeing officer Dayna Fisher told a parliamentary committee about concerning disciplinary tactics led by CFS leadership.

CFS firefighter have raised questions over disciplinary tactics used by management. Picture: CFS Promotions Unit

Ms Fisher said an incident occurred at the Bridgewater brigade in 2021, nearly a year before she joined, and the organisation’s senior executive organised a meeting about two years later led by a third party consultant, who used “threatening tactics” to bring on change.

Details of the incident still have not been made public.

Ms Fisher described the workshop as “deeply jarring” and “observed a deep sense of unease in the Bridgewater brigade” following the meeting.

“The consultant was awful, like standover tactics – we were all seated and this consultant was standing over us,” she told the Committee hearing.

“We felt bullied, we felt attacked, there were comments coming out of this person’s mouth which were likely defamatory.

“I saw people on the verge of tears, I saw people shaking, I saw people getting angry and defensive. Some of the other people in the room said this was toxic and divisive.

“These workshops were the most toxic, destructive interactions I’ve ever seen.”

Ms Fisher said accusations included “financial mismanagement” as well as breaches of Code or Conduct and Constitutional issues but no specific details were provided about the incident at the Bridgewater brigade.

She said it was her understanding about five people quit the Bridgewater brigade shortly after the workshop.

Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday morning, CFS chief executive Brett Laughlin said the workshops were designed to build culture rather than punish members.

CFS chief executive Brett Laughlin on Wednesday’s parliamentary committee. Image: Russell Millard Photography

When asked, Mr Laughlin would not disclose the incident that brought about the workshops.

“The matter is still ongoing in a capacity external to the CFS so I don’t think it would be appropriate to comment further on it at this point,” Mr Laughlin said.

“However, in terms of a little bit of background, there was a serious matter reported through the chain of command.”

Following the workshop, Ms Fisher wrote to then emergency services minister Joe Szakacs to raise concerns about the meeting.

Mr Szakacs wrote back to Ms Fisher on October 9, 2023 indicating he had asked the CFS for advice on the matter and admitting the Bridgewater Chief Officer acknowledged some members felt “uncomfortable” after the session.

Ms Fisher is now calling for an independent body to handle internal complaints from volunteers about concerns with senior management within the CFS and the brigade.

“My primary recommendation is that a genuinely independent body be established to handle complaints about volunteers and staff of the CFS,” she said.

“I have no confidence in the internal investigations, especially when senior executives are concerned.”