Firefighters come forward in major probe into bullying and harassment within CFA and MFB

FIREFIGHTERS are coming forward to speak out in a major investigation of bullying and harassment within the CFA and the MFB.

Firefighters are coming forward to speak out in a major investigation of bullying and harassment within the CFA and the MFB. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

FIREFIGHTERS are coming forward to speak out in a major investigation of bullying and harassment within the CFA and the MFB.

The probe into the fire services was launched by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission on Tuesday after its damning ­review of Victoria Police last year.

Commissioner Kristen Hilton said people were eager to contribute and had already called to talk about their experiences.

But the United Firefighters Union on Tuesday told its members not to participate and complained to the State Government that the commission “has no power” to conduct the probe.

The review will scrutinise the lack of equality and diversity in the CFA and MFB. Ms Hilton said that could include the fact that firefighters were not allowed to work part-time.

“There is no doubt that where there aren’t flexible working practices, it’s more difficult for women,” Ms Hilton said.

She said police and paramedics could work flexible hours, which set a “precedent” to consider.

“Only 3 per cent of paid firefighters in the CFA are women ... and only 4 per cent in the MFB,” Ms Hilton said.

“Those numbers tell us something ... but it doesn’t tell us why. Part of the review is to go in and find out what possible structural barriers are stopping women participating in the workforce.”

UFU secretary Peter Marshall said the union was “strongly of the view” that “members should not participate”. He said firefighters could not have confidence in the review because its expert panel had been “kept secret” — even though biographies of panel members were on the commission’s website.