MFB, CFA probe uncovers firefighter sexism claims

FEMALE firefighters allege they were forced to strip naked and pose in group photographs with dozens of male recruits as part of a hazing ritual as a fire services review uncovers claims of bullying and harassment.

Female firefighters allege they were forced to strip naked and pose in group photographs with dozens of male recruits as part of a hazing ritual. Generic image.

FEMALE firefighters allege they were forced to strip naked and pose in group photographs with dozens of male recruits as part of a hazing ritual.

As part of a wide-ranging probe, former senior employees in the MFB and CFA have told investigators from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission of allegations of bullying and ­harassment.

It is not known whether these allegations will form part of the commission’s final report or have been passed on to Commissioner Kristen Hilton.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton. Picture: Supplied

Investigators were told of male firefighters going out and bringing back women to stations, porn being on open display in the kitchens and male recruits calling female colleagues derogatory terms.

The review is set to lift the lid on a culture of sexism and drunkenness in the state’s fire services. There have been claims sex regularly took place in employees’ offices, while the review has received at least one allegation of sexual assault against senior management.

The Herald Sun has learned that investigators working on the review have been told of:

RECRUITMENT panels being biased against hiring women. Suggestions that panels needed gender equality training were rubbished by senior members;

A STRIPPING ritual at the end of recruitment courses, which is understood to have ended years ago, whereby women would have to climb to the top of a building — along with male recruits — and take their clothes off for a photo;

FIREFIGHTERS going out on weekends and bringing back women to stations, and sex taking place in offices; and

PORN hanging inside kitchen cupboards at fire stations.

Former employees have also alleged inappropriate links between the MFB’s human resources division and the United Firefighters Union, and the potential for complaints to be mishandled.

Some of the alleged ­incidents occurred more than a decade ago. The Herald Sun is not suggesting all cases of wrongdoing are ongoing.

The commission was called in by former minister Jane Garrett after a fire services review found bullying and lack of gender diversity. It followed a damning report into Victoria Police, which the command and the police union embraced as a catalyst for change.

FIREFIGHTERS COME FORWARD IN MAJOR PROBE INTO BULLYING, HARASSMENT

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission was called in by former minister Jane Garrett. Picture: David Caird

But the UFU told its members not to participate in the fire services probe, saying it was “not in members’ interest”.

It is understood participants in the inquiry raised concerns about an overly close relationship between the union and the MFB’s human resources division. Employees were alleg­edly afraid to make complaints because of the relationship.

The review is also scrutinising the lack of equality and diversity in the CFA and MFB, including the fact that firefighters were not allowed to work part-time.

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A spokesman for the commission said the report would be made public later this year.

“The confidentiality of the participants of the review is paramount. The Commission will not discuss the review until it is released publicly.”

A MFB spokeswoman said: “MFB respects the process being undertaken by VEOHRC and does not consider it appropriate to comment until the process is complete and VEOHRC have released their findings.”

A CFA spokesman said the organisation was committed to a safe and inclusive workplace. “CFA is not aware of these specific allegations,” he said. “CFA is aware of the VEOHRC review and will await the findings.”

The UFU was contacted for comment.

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